By Mark Smith 05/05/2025

Under: Fire Safety

Upcoming Changes to Fire Extinguisher Regulations: What You Need to Know

What Is the 2025 PFOA Ban?

From July 2025, a ban on PFOA and PFOS (C8 chemicals) will come into effect. However, these substances haven’t been used in our range of extinguishers since 2017, and most suppliers phased them out by 2018. If your extinguishers were purchased after that point, they should be free of these chemicals.

The European Union has introduced fresh regulations concerning PFHxA (C6 chemicals) and its associated compounds currently used in extinguishers for Class B fires, as outlined in Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/2462, which revises Annex XVII Regulation.

The UK government is expected to issue its own guidance soon, which is likely to align with this 2030 deadline, though it may allow extended use for Class B applications due to delays in finalising the legislation.

It’s highly unlikely that extinguishers commissioned in 2018 are still in service, as the majority have a five-year expiration date. However, if any are discovered, our engineers will mark them as unsafe and include this information in the service report. For extinguishers manufactured after 2018 that contain C6 chemicals, which are currently under regulatory review, we will keep our customers updated on the latest industry developments. They can then choose how they would like to move forward.

Fluorine-free extinguishers are readily available and will become the standard if restrictions on PFAS are introduced. In many cases, customers may find they can safely transition to a water-based extinguisher, depending on their specific site needs.

Understanding the chemicals included in the ban

• PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid): This is a synthetic chemical that was once commonly found in certain firefighting systems.
• PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances): This term refers to a broad category of man-made chemicals that encompasses PFOA. Often called "forever chemicals," they are known for their ability to remain in the environment and the human body for a long time.
• AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam): This is a type of low-expansion foam that is frequently used to put out fires involving flammable liquids. Some AFFF formulations may include PFAS, such as PFOA.

Why is PFOA being banned? 

The move to ban PFOA is part of a broader initiative to tackle the environmental and health hazards linked to PFAS. Back in 2009, PFOS, another type of PFAS, was banned under the Stockholm Convention, but PFOA continued to be used. It wasn't until ten years later that a plan was put in place to gradually eliminate PFOA, with a complete ban scheduled for July 2025. This ban is designed to stop the release of these long-lasting chemicals, particularly when fire suppression systems are activated, and to encourage the industry to shift towards safer, PFAS-free alternatives.

How to spot a non-compliant fire extinguisher

Knowing if a fire extinguisher uses foam (which includes PFOA or PFOS) is crucial for staying compliant with upcoming regulations and safeguarding health and the environment. Here’s how to figure out if an extinguisher might be non-compliant:

1. Inspect the Label and Product Details
• Search the label for mentions of PFOA, PFOS, C8, or perfluorinated compounds.
• Keep in mind that older models might not explicitly list these chemicals but could refer to “long-chain fluorotelomer,” which likely indicates C8-based ingredients.

2. Check the Manufacturing Date
• Extinguishers produced before 2015 are more likely to have C8 chemicals, as these substances were widely used in foam products back then.
• After 2015, most manufacturers switched to C6 chemicals (short-chain) PFAS, which are less harmful to the environment, although they’re still being reviewed by regulators. If there’s no visible date on the extinguisher, it’s safer to assume it’s outdated and should be replaced.

3. Look at the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) or Technical Specs
• The SDS will give you a detailed list of the extinguisher’s chemical components.
• Look for references to PFOA, PFOS, C8 compounds, or any perfluoroalkyl substances.
• If the SDS isn’t available or is unclear, don’t hesitate to contact the manufacturer for more information.

Safer, Compliant Alternatives 

Before you swap out your non-compliant fire extinguishers, take a moment to determine if foam is still needed at your location. If your site doesn’t deal with flammable liquids, there are other options that might work better: 

• Water extinguishers are great for materials such as wood, paper, and fabrics.
• CO2 extinguishers are perfect for tackling electrical fires.
• Class F (wet chemical) are made specifically for cooking oils and fats.
• Water mist extinguishers are a flexible, PFAS-free choice that’s safe for various types of fires.
• Fluoro-free foam extinguishers are environmentally friendly alternatives to AFFF.

If you’d like advice on reviewing your current fire extinguisher setup or switching to compliant alternatives, the Enfield Safety team is here to help.