Are Your Fire-Fighting Foams PFOS Free? Compliance Ready for 2026.Gard reports that from 1 January 2026, the use or storage of fire-extinguishing media containing Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) will be prohibited under the Convention on the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the High-Speed Craft (HSC) Codes — a significant development for maritime safety, environmental compliance and shipboard risk management.
PFOS, a persistent organic pollutant (POP) from the broader class of Per‑ and poly‑fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), was once widely used in aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) for extinguishing class B fires (flammable liquids) due to its excellent oil- and water repellency. However, its same chemical stability means it does not break down easily in the environment, accumulates in living organisms and carries health risks such as liver damage, cardiovascular disease and infertility. #Gard #Solas #PFOSfree #FireFightingFoam