{"id":2193707,"date":"2026-10-13T05:02:08","date_gmt":"2026-10-13T02:02:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2193707"},"modified":"2026-10-13T05:02:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-13T02:02:08","slug":"outdated-and-inadequate-tefal-manufacturer-urged-to-drop-forever-chemicals-from-non-stick-pans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2193707","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Outdated and inadequate\u2019: Tefal manufacturer urged to drop \u2018forever chemicals\u2019 from non-stick pans"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/89\/99\/1200x675_cmsv2_c3448051-c2d7-5141-85bc-d6847b56e71b-9948999.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2931769-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2931769\" data-cid=\"9948600\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2931769-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/31\/04\/189x106_cmsv2_54413a42-a515-55cb-9040-657a859c8909-9943104.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Guimar\u00e3es city park covers 30 hectares\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Earth News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    More parks, rivers and green corridors: how Guimar\u00e3es is preparing for extreme heat\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932612-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2932612\" data-cid=\"9947338\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932612-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/73\/38\/189x106_cmsv2_176db8ef-1f2e-5984-81d6-dcf86b369760-9947338.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Europe Today\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \"><span class=\"c-article-title__prefix--red\">Live.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>    NATO warns Russia amid escalating hybrid attacks from Moscow\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933159-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2933159\" data-cid=\"9949640\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933159-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/96\/40\/189x106_cmsv2_f2c93853-fdc1-5cc6-9514-8bbffaaeedca-9949640.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A roller coaster at Six Flags park in Georgia has been closed.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    USA<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    US theme park Six Flags shuts nine roller coasters after fatality\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933112-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2933112\" data-cid=\"9949449\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933112-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/94\/49\/189x106_cmsv2_c307b578-3b30-566b-a78e-2a9e4ae3041e-9949449.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Protesters clash with riot police during a national demonstration against government budget cuts\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Belgium: 9 minors arrested as clashes erupt near Brussels-Midi\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2931769-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2\" data-nid=\"2931769\" data-cid=\"9948600\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2931769-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/31\/04\/189x106_cmsv2_54413a42-a515-55cb-9040-657a859c8909-9943104.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Guimar\u00e3es city park covers 30 hectares\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Earth News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    More parks, rivers and green corridors: how Guimar\u00e3es is preparing for extreme heat\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932612-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2932612\" data-cid=\"9947338\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932612-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/73\/38\/189x106_cmsv2_176db8ef-1f2e-5984-81d6-dcf86b369760-9947338.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Europe Today\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \"><span class=\"c-article-title__prefix--red\">Live.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>    NATO warns Russia amid escalating hybrid attacks from Moscow\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933159-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2\" data-nid=\"2933159\" data-cid=\"9949640\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933159-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/96\/40\/189x106_cmsv2_f2c93853-fdc1-5cc6-9514-8bbffaaeedca-9949640.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A roller coaster at Six Flags park in Georgia has been closed.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    USA<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    US theme park Six Flags shuts nine roller coasters after fatality\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933112-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2933112\" data-cid=\"9949449\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933112-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/94\/49\/189x106_cmsv2_c307b578-3b30-566b-a78e-2a9e4ae3041e-9949449.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Protesters clash with riot police during a national demonstration against government budget cuts\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    No Comment<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Belgium: 9 minors arrested as clashes erupt near Brussels-Midi\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Earth<\/p>\n<p>                          Earth News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            \u2018Outdated and inadequate\u2019: Tefal manufacturer urged to drop \u2018forever chemicals\u2019 from non-stick pans<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/89\/99\/1536x864_cmsv2_c3448051-c2d7-5141-85bc-d6847b56e71b-9948999.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"A person is cooking on a stove. \"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              A person is cooking on a stove.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Canva<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Canva\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspAlice Carnevali&amp;nbspwith&amp;nbsp<b>AFP<\/b><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1791867728\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-10-13 07:02:08 +02:00\">13\/10\/2026 &#8211; 7:02 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay js-c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-share-comment-popup\" class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup js-c-article-share-comment-popup\">\n<div 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width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"vk\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"bluesky\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Bluesky<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-bluesky.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"bluesky\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"threads\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Threads<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-threads.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        The legal notice came from three environmental groups in the midst of fierce discussions over upcoming EU PFAS legislation, expected in 2027.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content c-article-content--earth js-article-content\">\n<p>Last week, three environmental organisations gave an ultimatum to French cookware manufacturer Groupe SEB over its use of PFAS, human-made, long-lasting chemical substances also known as forever chemicals. <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Groupe SEB owns pan brand Tefal, which continues to use PFAS in some of its non-stick cookware.<\/p>\n<p>According to ClientEarth, G\u00e9n\u00e9rations Futures and Notre Affaire \u00e0 Tous, the company&#8217;s approach to forever chemicals is \u201coutdated and inadequate\u201d and fails to comply with legal requirements under the French corporate responsibility law. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s not just for PFAS producers to be sanctioned for what they&#8217;re doing, but it&#8217;s also for the companies at the end of the chain who really use those PFAS to show that is possible to have a PFAS free market,\u201d H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Duguy, environmental lawyer at ClientEarth, tells Euronews Earth. <\/p>\n<p>In response to the accusations, Groupe SEB told Euronews Earth that it will review its contents and respond, if necessary, in accordance with the law. <\/p>\n<p>These allegations come at a critical time in the European Union (EU)\u2019s PFAS debate. Brussels is under pressure to ban forever chemicals, but industry groups are seeking as many exemptions as possible to avoid phasing out these substances from their products. <\/p>\n<p>But what exactly are the NGOs accusing Groupe SEB of, and how is this relevant for the broader EU PFAS regulation?<\/p>\n<h2><strong>What do environmental groups want from Tefal\u2019s manufacturer?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>ClientEarth, G\u00e9n\u00e9rations Futures and Notre Affaire \u00e0 Tous put Groupe SEB on notice, a formal legal step that does not necessarily lead to a lawsuit. It could, however, if the company does not publicly commit to transitioning away from PFAS in the next three months, a press release by ClientEarth states. <\/p>\n<p>Specifically, the NGOs argue that Groupe SEB\u2019s latest vigilance plan, a legal document required by French law, identifies PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) as \u201csafe\u201d, thereby failing to recognise the risks it poses and to consider measures to mitigate them. <\/p>\n<p>PTFE is the PFAS used in cookware produced by Tefal, which, according to a statement provided to Euronews Earth by Groupe SEB, \u201cconducts its business in strict compliance with French and European regulations applicable to its industrial activities, under the regular oversight of the relevant authorities.\u201d <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\" id=\"abe-article-related-1\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">EU ministers test positive for PFAS in their blood, despite forever chemical phase-outs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2><strong>Are Tefal pans \u2018safe\u2019?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Known commercially as Teflon, PTFE is a specific type of PFAS used in many products, including cookware, for its water-, stain-, and grease-resistant properties. <\/p>\n<p>Unlike other toxic PFAS, like the potentially carcinogenic PFOS and carcinogenic PFOA, PTFE has not been linked to cancer, yet it has already put Groupe SEB under scrutiny. <\/p>\n<p>In July 2025, three French environmental groups filed a lawsuit against the multinational for misleading commercial practices. The complaint was linked to an advertising campaign in which Tefal promoted its non-stick coatings as \u201csafe\u201d, thus undermining the risks caused by PTFE according to the environmental organisations. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cPTFE is non-toxic,\u201d Hans Peter Arp, professor of environmental chemistry at the Norwegian University of Science, tells Euronews Earth. \u201cBut how it&#8217;s made and how it is disposed of may release toxic PFAS,\u201d he adds. <\/p>\n<p>In particular, disposing of products containing PTFE through incineration might release hazardous chemicals into the environment. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you have these [PTFE] products in your home, which many of us do \u2013 I do \u2013 I may not be contaminating my home, but I might have been contaminating the area where the PTFE was made or the future area of the landfill where that PTFE is going,\u201d Arp explains. <\/p>\n<p>According to H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Duguy, the broader context of PFAS\u2019s consequences is what Groupe SEB is failing to recognise. \u201cIf you want to understand the risks of a PFAS like PTFE, you need to look at the entire value chain,\u201d she stresses. <\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\" id=\"abe-article-related-2\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Scientists turned penguins into \u2018toxicologists\u2019 and found forever chemicals in this remote region <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2><strong>Is Europe banning PFAS?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Over the last few years, PFAS have been highly discussed in the EU, which has vowed to ban forever chemicals in everyday consumer products, while allowing exemptions in sectors considered critical, such as defence and healthcare. <\/p>\n<p>Industry lobbyists are currently working to obtain as many exemptions as possible to the regulation. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It is by far the biggest file I&#8217;ve handled in the past five years,&#8221; lobbyist Simon Terwagne told news agency AFP. The consultancy he works for, Forward Global, represents clients from the chemical industry.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Reducing exposure to PFAS is a sensible goal, but it must be done in the most measured and proportionate way possible,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<p>The official proposal is expected in early 2027 as the European Commission is waiting for a final report from the European Chemicals Agency, which should arrive in December. <\/p>\n<p>However, in March 2026, the agency already said that PFAS &#8220;pose growing risks to people and the environment&#8221;, calling for a broad ban on their use across the bloc with some exceptions when there is no alternative.<\/p>\n<p>As far as PTFE is concerned, there are alternatives to it in its cookware application. For instance, cast iron is a PFAS-free material that can be used in pans and other kitchenware. Groupe SEB is already manufacturing some products like this, and that is why, according to H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Duguy, the company should already be planning for a transition. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe&#8217;re not asking SEB to do this tomorrow, but to plan this transition\u2026 to make sure that their workforce has a plan B and that there is adaptation,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n<p>At the start of 2026, France banned the sale, production or import of any product containing forever chemicals for which an alternative already exists. The first draft of this law originally included prohibiting non-stick saucepans, but this was later removed following reports of \u201cintense lobbying\u201d from French manufacturer Tefal.<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-widget-related\" data-stories-id data-event=\"widget_related\">\n<div class=\"c-widget-related__title\"><b class=\"c-widget-related__title__text\" lang=\"en\">Related<\/b><\/div>\n<ul class=\"c-widget-related__list\" id=\"abe-article-related-3\">\n<li class=\"c-widget-related__item\">Life in Zwijndrecht: A European PFAS hotspot trying to tackle PFAS | Euronews Tech Talks<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<h2><strong>PFAS: A symbol of a broader environmental crisis<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>This is not the first legal action ClientEarth has pursued on the topic of PFAS. Earlier this year, the environmental NGO filed a human rights complaint against Belgium over its failure to tackle widespread PFAS pollution across the country. <\/p>\n<p>According to Duguy, PFAS is becoming a symbol of the environmental crisis the world is facing. \u201cPFAS is quite emblematic of a general societal reality, which is accepting collateral damage for the benefits of short-term profits,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n<p>PFAS were created by the chemical industry in the first half of the 20th century and are now employed in several items, including some raincoats, food packaging and menstrual products. Overall, they are difficult to remove from the environment and can have harmful effects on human health, two characteristics that major corporations like 3M and DuPont knew about but covered up for years. <\/p>\n<p>PFAS pollution is particularly widespread in Europe. In 2023, cross-border investigation The Forever Pollution Project estimated that there were around 23,000 PFAS-contaminated sites across the continent. <\/p>\n<p>Earlier this year, an EU-wide crackdown on forever chemicals in drinking water came into force, requiring member states to monitor PFAS levels in water and inform the European Commission of their results. If the limit values are exceeded, member states must \u201ctake action\u201d to reduce the level of PFAS and protect public health \u2013 while also informing the public. <\/p>\n<p>While this was viewed as a positive step, experts warned that the approach treats the symptoms, rather than preventing harm at its source by restricting PFAS from being made, marketed or released.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__container\">\n<article id=\"abe-2932042-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2932042\" data-cid=\"9944518\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932042-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/45\/18\/480x270_cmsv2_1012f53d-3202-578e-9fac-f04aa85faeda-9944518.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Close-up shot of an IKEA store.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Earth News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Inside IKEA\u2019s second-hand marketplace where furniture is 60% cheaper<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932383-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2932383\" data-cid=\"9946295\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932383-label-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/62\/95\/480x270_cmsv2_6d9dc2df-f868-59cd-a307-551a44e941c9-9946295.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Shot of Helsinki Cathedral.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Earth News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    This EU capital just voted to ban fossil fuel adverts for good<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2930527-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2930527\" data-cid=\"9937250\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2930527-label-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/72\/50\/480x270_cmsv2_f81ae4bd-16f9-589e-88a7-d9359e9bb5ae-9937250.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"View of Basilica-Cathedral of Our Lady of the Pillar, Zaragoza, Spain.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Earth News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Why this Spanish city was just crowned greenest in the EU<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  regulation<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  PFAS (Forever chemicals)<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Pollution<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Chemicals<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tp-vuukle\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__header\"><span class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__title\">Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2932937-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2932937\" data-cid=\"9948524\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932937-label-pos2-top-stories\" 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Now, they face a reckoning<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2932042-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2932042\" data-cid=\"9944518\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932042-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/45\/18\/320x180_cmsv2_1012f53d-3202-578e-9fac-f04aa85faeda-9944518.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Close-up shot of an IKEA store.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Inside IKEA\u2019s second-hand marketplace where furniture is 60% cheaper<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2931775-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2931775\" data-cid=\"9943134\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2931775-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/31\/34\/320x180_cmsv2_f5bd1776-4162-5c07-b46a-c69aa24b1e39-9943134.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Special mounted solar panels are installed over a biological apple fruit tree plantation at an Agrivoltaics research project in Gelsdorf, western Germany, Aug. 30, 2022.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Solar panels promise farmers a lifeline. 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Now, they face a reckoning<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932042-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2932042\" data-cid=\"9944518\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932042-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/45\/18\/480x270_cmsv2_1012f53d-3202-578e-9fac-f04aa85faeda-9944518.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Close-up shot of an IKEA store.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Earth News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Inside IKEA\u2019s second-hand marketplace where furniture is 60% cheaper<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932383-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2932383\" data-cid=\"9946295\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932383-label-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/62\/95\/480x270_cmsv2_6d9dc2df-f868-59cd-a307-551a44e941c9-9946295.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Shot of Helsinki Cathedral.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Earth News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    This EU capital just voted to ban fossil fuel adverts for good<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2930527-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2930527\" data-cid=\"9937250\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2930527-label-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/72\/50\/480x270_cmsv2_f81ae4bd-16f9-589e-88a7-d9359e9bb5ae-9937250.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"View of Basilica-Cathedral of Our Lady of the Pillar, Zaragoza, Spain.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Earth News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Why this Spanish city was just crowned greenest in the EU<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932937-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2932937\" data-cid=\"9948524\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932937-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/85\/24\/320x180_cmsv2_b0047bf8-41e6-52ef-b2a3-4bc85e356371-9948524.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A young macaque chews on a leaf in the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud on the island of Bali in Indonesia on July 31, 2024. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    200 nations made a pact to protect nature. Now, they face a reckoning<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932042-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2932042\" data-cid=\"9944518\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932042-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/45\/18\/320x180_cmsv2_1012f53d-3202-578e-9fac-f04aa85faeda-9944518.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Close-up shot of an IKEA store.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Inside IKEA\u2019s second-hand marketplace where furniture is 60% cheaper<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2931775-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2931775\" data-cid=\"9943134\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2931775-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/31\/34\/320x180_cmsv2_f5bd1776-4162-5c07-b46a-c69aa24b1e39-9943134.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Special mounted solar panels are installed over a biological apple fruit tree plantation at an Agrivoltaics research project in Gelsdorf, western Germany, Aug. 30, 2022.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Solar panels promise farmers a lifeline. But who gets the profits?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932311-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2932311\" data-cid=\"9945881\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2932311-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/58\/81\/320x180_cmsv2_ffe71dfd-6574-5316-bf34-9d91cb8a8607-9945881.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Indika Nuwankumara drinks water to quench his thirst while searching for water in an irrigation tank that dried up due to drought in Medirigiriya, Sri Lanka.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    An El Ni\u00f1o timeline: When will it peak and will it go into 2027?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2930527-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2930527\" data-cid=\"9937250\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2930527-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/93\/72\/50\/320x180_cmsv2_f81ae4bd-16f9-589e-88a7-d9359e9bb5ae-9937250.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"View of Basilica-Cathedral of Our Lady of the Pillar, Zaragoza, Spain.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Why this Spanish city was just crowned greenest in the EU<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932042-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2932042\" data-cid=\"9944518\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Inside IKEA\u2019s second-hand marketplace where furniture is 60% cheaper<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932769-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2932769\" data-cid=\"9947947\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Antarctic penguins emit up to 7 million tonnes of methane a year<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932311-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2932311\" data-cid=\"9945881\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    An El Ni\u00f1o timeline: When will it peak and will it go into 2027?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2931775-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2931775\" data-cid=\"9943134\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Solar panels promise farmers a lifeline. But who gets the profits?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2932937-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2932937\" data-cid=\"9948524\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    200 nations made a pact to protect nature. Now, they face a reckoning<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Last week, three environmental organisations gave an ultimatum to French cookware manufacturer Groupe SEB over its use of PFAS, human-made, long-lasting chemical substances also known as forever chemicals.\u00a0\u00a0Groupe SEB owns pan brand Tefal, which continues to use PFAS in some of its non-stick cookware.According to ClientEarth, G\u00e9n\u00e9rations Futures and Notre Affaire \u00e0 Tous, the company&#8217;s approach to forever chemicals is \u201coutdated and inadequate\u201d and fails to comply with legal requirements under the French corporate responsibility law.\u00a0\u201cIt&#8217;s not just for PFAS producers to be sanctioned for what they&#8217;re doing, but it&#8217;s also for the companies at the end of the chain who really use those PFAS to show that is possible to have a PFAS free market,\u201d H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Duguy, environmental lawyer at ClientEarth, tells Euronews Earth.\u00a0In response to the accusations, Groupe SEB told Euronews Earth that it will review its contents and respond, if necessary, in accordance with the law.\u00a0These allegations come at a critical time in the European Union (EU)\u2019s PFAS debate. Brussels is under pressure to ban forever chemicals, but industry groups are seeking as many exemptions as possible to avoid phasing out these substances from their products.\u00a0But what exactly are the NGOs accusing Groupe SEB of, and how is this relevant for the broader EU PFAS regulation?What do environmental groups want from Tefal\u2019s manufacturer?ClientEarth, G\u00e9n\u00e9rations Futures and Notre Affaire \u00e0 Tous put Groupe SEB on notice, a formal legal step that does not necessarily lead to a lawsuit. It could, however, if the company does not publicly commit to transitioning away from PFAS in the next three months, a press release by ClientEarth states.\u00a0Specifically, the NGOs argue that Groupe SEB\u2019s latest vigilance plan, a legal document required by French law, identifies PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) as \u201csafe\u201d, thereby failing to recognise the risks it poses and to consider measures to mitigate them.\u00a0PTFE is the PFAS used in cookware produced by Tefal, which, according to a statement provided to Euronews Earth by Groupe SEB, \u201cconducts its business in strict compliance with French and European regulations applicable to its industrial activities, under the regular oversight of the relevant authorities.\u201d\u00a0Are Tefal pans \u2018safe\u2019?Known commercially as Teflon, PTFE is a specific type of PFAS used in many products, including cookware, for its water-, stain-, and grease-resistant properties.\u00a0Unlike other toxic PFAS, like the potentially carcinogenic PFOS and carcinogenic PFOA, PTFE has not been linked to cancer, yet it has already put Groupe SEB under scrutiny.\u00a0In July 2025, three French environmental groups filed a lawsuit against the multinational for misleading commercial practices. The complaint was linked to an advertising campaign in which Tefal promoted its non-stick coatings as \u201csafe\u201d, thus undermining the risks caused by PTFE according to the environmental organisations.\u00a0\u201cPTFE is non-toxic,\u201d Hans Peter Arp, professor of environmental chemistry at the Norwegian University of Science, tells Euronews Earth. \u201cBut how it&#8217;s made and how it is disposed of may release toxic PFAS,\u201d he adds.\u00a0In particular, disposing of products containing PTFE through incineration might release hazardous chemicals into the environment.\u00a0\u201cIf you have these [PTFE] products in your home, which many of us do \u2013 I do \u2013 I may not be contaminating my home, but I might have been contaminating the area where the PTFE was made or the future area of the landfill where that PTFE is going,\u201d Arp explains.\u00a0According to H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Duguy, the broader context of PFAS\u2019s consequences is what Groupe SEB is failing to recognise. \u201cIf you want to understand the risks of a PFAS like PTFE, you need to look at the entire value chain,\u201d she stresses.\u00a0Is Europe banning PFAS?\u00a0Over the last few years, PFAS have been highly discussed in the EU, which has vowed to ban forever chemicals in everyday consumer products, while allowing exemptions in sectors considered critical, such as defence and healthcare.\u00a0Industry lobbyists are currently working to obtain as many exemptions as possible to the regulation.\u00a0&#8220;It is by far the biggest file I&#8217;ve handled in the past five years,&#8221; lobbyist Simon Terwagne told news agency AFP. The consultancy he works for, Forward Global, represents clients from the chemical industry.&#8221;Reducing exposure to PFAS is a sensible goal, but it must be done in the most measured and proportionate way possible,&#8221; he added.The official proposal is expected in early 2027 as the European Commission is waiting for a final report from the European Chemicals Agency, which should arrive in December.\u00a0However, in March 2026, the agency already said that PFAS &#8220;pose growing risks to people and the environment&#8221;, calling for a broad ban on their use across the bloc with some exceptions when there is no alternative.As far as PTFE is concerned, there are alternatives to it in its cookware application. For instance, cast iron is a PFAS-free material that can be used in pans and other kitchenware. Groupe SEB is already manufacturing some products like this, and that is why, according to H\u00e9l\u00e8ne Duguy, the company should already be planning for a transition.\u00a0\u201cWe&#8217;re not asking SEB to do this tomorrow, but to plan this transition\u2026 to make sure that their workforce has a plan B and that there is adaptation,\u201d she says.\u00a0At the start of 2026, France banned the sale, production or import of any product containing forever chemicals for which an alternative already exists. The first draft of this law originally included prohibiting non-stick saucepans, but this was later removed following reports of \u201cintense lobbying\u201d from French manufacturer Tefal.PFAS: A symbol of a broader environmental crisisThis is not the first legal action ClientEarth has pursued on the topic of PFAS. Earlier this year, the environmental NGO filed a human rights complaint against Belgium over its failure to tackle widespread PFAS pollution across the country.\u00a0According to Duguy, PFAS is becoming a symbol of the environmental crisis the world is facing. \u201cPFAS is quite emblematic of a general societal reality, which is accepting collateral damage for the benefits of short-term profits,\u201d she says.\u00a0PFAS were created by the chemical industry in the first half of the 20th century and are now employed in several items, including some raincoats, food packaging and menstrual products. Overall, they are difficult to remove from the environment and can have harmful effects on human health, two characteristics that major corporations like 3M and DuPont knew about but covered up for years.\u00a0PFAS pollution is particularly widespread in Europe. In 2023, cross-border investigation The Forever Pollution Project estimated that there were around 23,000 PFAS-contaminated sites across the continent.\u00a0Earlier this year, an EU-wide crackdown on forever chemicals in drinking water came into force, requiring member states to monitor PFAS levels in water and inform the European Commission of their results. If the limit values are exceeded, member states must \u201ctake action\u201d to reduce the level of PFAS and protect public health \u2013 while also informing the public.\u00a0While this was viewed as a positive step, experts warned that the approach treats the symptoms, rather than preventing harm at its source by restricting PFAS from being made, marketed or released.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/10\/13\/outdated-and-inadequate-tefal-manufacturer-urged-to-drop-forever-chemicals-from-non-stick-&#8220;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/94\/89\/99\/1200x675_cmsv2_c3448051-c2d7-5141-85bc-d6847b56e71b-9948999.jpg&#8221;] Earth News More parks, rivers and green corridors: how Guimar\u00e3es is preparing for extreme heat Europe Today Live. NATO warns Russia amid escalating hybrid attacks from Moscow USA US theme park Six Flags shuts nine roller coasters after fatality No Comment Belgium: 9 minors arrested as clashes erupt near Brussels-Midi Earth News [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2193707","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2193707","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2193707"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2193707\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2193707"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2193707"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2193707"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}