The ban of AFFF extinguishers

[Duckworth]

Hi All

anyone know the latest information on the ban of AFFF extinguishers, seems to be a lot of conflicting information on their use past July 2025, but I cant find anything that links any of this information back to any legislation..?

[AnthonyB]

9 hours ago, Duckworth said:

Hi All

anyone know the latest information on the ban of AFFF extinguishers, seems to be a lot of conflicting information on their use past July 2025, but I cant find anything that links any of this information back to any legislation..?

There is a lot of misinformation & upselling out there. July 2025 is indeed the 'end date' for 'old' AFFF containing C8 fluorosurfactants such as PFOA & similar. These stopped being sold well over 10-15 years ago and so many won't be still about as many extinguishers are binned at 5 years and if refilled should have been with other AFFF.

Current AFFF contains C6 fluorosurfactants such as PFHxA which are still damaging to the environment (they have to be incinerated at end of life) but not yet outlawed.

The EU has published it's legislation for phase out of these which if ratified this year as planned gives a 12 month phase out for new equipment & a 2030 hard stop for all remaining use.

We are no longer in the EU so are lagging behind and are still consulting on phase out so it will be at least 2026 before any legislation drops and again an expected hard stop of 2030 or 2031 for that in use - no instant ban.

You can currently lawfully buy & have a C6 AFFF extinguisher, but if being ethical (& if your environmental policy is anything more than ticking a box) you can when a new extinguisher is needed or an existing needs Extended Service use a Fluorine Free Foam extinguisher instead, or as many Foam extinguishers are used where they aren't needed you could also use Water, Water Mist, Class A Water Additive, Class ABF Water Additive or ABC Powder dependant on the risk.