PFAS in Firefighting Foam: What UK Businesses Need to Know

Recent EU headlines around PFAS bans in firefighting foam have caused understandable concern. However, OHEAP Fire & Security is urging UK businesses to take a measured, informed approach.

In October 2025, the EU confirmed Regulation 2025/1988, which bans the sale of PFAS-containing firefighting foams from October 2030 and requires the removal of PFAS-based extinguishers by December 2030. These regulations do not currently apply in the UK.

Instead, the UK Government and the Health & Safety Executive launched a six-month consultation on PFAS use in firefighting foam on 18 August 2025, closing on 18 February 2026. No regulatory decisions will be made until this process concludes. As it stands, all existing fire safety equipment remains fully compliant.

Early indications suggest that, if introduced, the earliest possible UK restrictions would come into force in late 2026, likely followed by a phased transition period of up to five years. This means existing PFAS foam extinguishers may not require replacement until 2031 or later.

“There is a lot of misinformation circulating,” says Nicholas Heap, Managing Director at OHEAP Fire & Security. “Our role is to provide clarity and guide customers through any future changes in a planned, compliant and cost-effective way.”

With over 60 years’ experience, OHEAP Fire & Security continues to monitor regulatory developments closely and advise businesses based on facts, not headlines.