Myth
All foam extinguishers should have been removed by 4th July 2025.
Fact
Only foam extinguishers containing C8 (PFOA) were banned on 4th July 2025.
What is being banned and why?
The use of C8 Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) in AFFF fire extinguishers was banned in the UK on 4th July 2025. Given the ban on these extinguishers has already passed, organisations should replace them with alternative solutions as soon as possible.
The reason for the ban is that C8 extinguishers contain ‘forever chemicals’, known for their persistence in the environment and links to significant health risks.
Does this mean all foam fire extinguishers are banned?
No. Only extinguishers with C8 (PFOA) are banned. Newer extinguishers which do not contain C8 and include alternative chemicals like C6 are therefore still permitted under current regulations.
What is the myth?
The fire safety team at JLA has observed confusion amongst customers about the type of extinguishers banned and would like clarity on those which are still permitted.
The ban does not include all foam fire extinguishers and only applies to those containing C8. We would recommend checking your extinguishers before replacing them.
What is the future of fire extinguishers containing C6?
Fire extinguishers containing C6 are still permitted in the UK, but experts predict they may be phased out over time. There has been no announcement and the period of phasing out is normally 10 years, which means you will have plenty of time to replace them if a ban is enacted.
What is being banned and why?
As of 4th July 2025, the use of C8 Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) in AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam) fire extinguishers has been prohibited in the UK. Given the regulation came into effect on 4th July 2025, organisations are advised to replace any affected extinguishers with compliant alternatives as a soon as possible.
The ban was introduced due to the presence of what are known as ‘forever chemicals’ in C8-based extinguishers. These substances are highly persistent in the environment and have been linked to health risks.
Does this mean all foam fire extinguishers are banned?
No. The ban applies only to extinguishers containing C8 (PFOA). Modern foam extinguishers that do not contain C8 remain compliant and are permitted under current legislation.
What is the myth?
The fire safety team at JLA has noted some confusion among customers regarding which extinguishers are affected by the ban. Not all foam fire extinguishers are prohibited—only those containing C8. We strongly recommend checking the specifications of your extinguishers before proceeding with replacements.
What is the future of fire extinguishers containing C6?
While there is potential for C6-based extinguishers to be phased out in the future, no formal announcement has been made. Typically, such phase-outs are implemented over a 10-year period.
Please feel free to get in touch with our fire safety experts if you have any questions.
For more expert insights, visit the JLA Knowledge Hub.
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