Switzerland is currently consulting on proposed amendments to the Chemicals Risk Reduction Ordinance (ChemRRV) that would introduce stringent restrictions on the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting applications. Launched by the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) on 22 December 2025, the public consultation remains open until 12 April 2026.
The draft amendments are designed to mitigate the long-term environmental and health risks associated with persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) substances, and to align Swiss chemical safety standards with current international scientific findings.
Authority:
The draft was initiated by DETEC and will ultimately be adopted by the Swiss Federal Council.
Regulatory scope and definitions
The amendments regulate the placing on the market and use of foam extinguishing agents and related equipment containing PFAS.
- PFAS Definition: Any substance containing at least one fully fluorinated methyl (CF₃) or methylene (CF₂) carbon atom without a hydrogen, chlorine, bromine, or iodine atom bonded to it.
- Concentration Limit: A foam extinguishing agent is deemed "PFAS-containing" if the total PFAS content is ≥ 1 mg/L.
- Product Scope: Portable/mobile fire extinguishers, stationary extinguishing systems, and fire extinguishing sprays that produce foam.
Prohibition and transition periods
The draft ordinance outlines a phased prohibition approach for agents containing PFOS, PFHxS, PFOA, and longer-chain PFCAs.
|
Restriction Category
|
Prohibition Detail
|
Effective Date
|
|
Market Placement
|
Placing on the market of PFAS-containing foam fire extinguishers and agents.
|
1 December 2026
|
|
General Use
|
Use of PFAS-containing foam agents in systems and other applications.
|
1 December 2026
|
|
Specific Exceptions
|
Use for mandatory training/testing (requires 100% recovery and disposal).
|
Case-by-case
|
For private households, the amendments create new obligations to refrain from the use of specific prohibited fire extinguishers. One-off disposal costs are estimated at approximately CHF 33 per unit.
Economic and enviromental objectives
The Swiss Federal Council has assessed the overall economic impact as minimal, ensuring uniform application across market participants to prevent competitive distortion.
- Emissions Reduction: Minimizing the release of "forever chemicals" into soil and groundwater.
- Long-term Environmental Protection: Protecting future resources by reducing long-term contamination.
- Regulatory Alignment: Harmonizing Swiss chemical regulation with current scientific knowledge and international standards.
Stakeholder participation and timeline
Stakeholders, including manufacturers, importers, and professional operators, are encouraged to review the draft and submit formal comments during the consultation period.
- Consultation Launch: 22 December 2025
- Consultation Deadline: 12 April 2026
- Planned Entry into Force: 1 December 2026
