On May 5, 2026, the Swedish Cosmetics and Hygiene Companies Association (KoHF) reiterated that the cosmetics industry has voluntarily phased out the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in cosmetic products. According to KoHF, the commitment was adopted in 2023 in collaboration with the European cosmetics industry through Cosmetics Europe, despite PFAS already having limited use within the sector. Under the industry recommendation, cosmetic products placed on the market from December 31, 2025, must not contain intentionally added PFAS. The initiative reflects the industry's proactive approach to addressing concerns related to persistent fluorinated substances and aligns with broader European efforts to reduce PFAS use across consumer products. KoHF indicated that responsible companies are expected to have completed the phase-out of these substances from their cosmetic product portfolios. KoHF also advised consumers that some older products containing PFAS may still remain on retail shelves or in personal storage due to the long shelf life of cosmetics. Additionally, products purchased from non-European or lesser-known online platforms may not comply with the industry recommendation. To help consumers identify ingredients, KoHF highlighted the COSMILE Europe database and mobile application, which provides information on cosmetic ingredients and their regulatory status.
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