On 1 January 2026 new amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-2 as well as the 1994 and 2000 High Speed Craft (HSC) Codes will enter in force prohibiting the use or storage of fire-extinguishing media containing perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS).

 The IMO has adopted amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-2 as well as the 1994 and 2000 High Speed Craft (HSC) Codes that prohibit the use or storage of fire-extinguishing media containing PFOS. The purpose of the amendments is to protect people on board against exposure to dangerous substances used in firefighting and to minimize the impact of fire-extinguishing media that are deemed detrimental to the environment.

The amendments will enter into force on 1 January 2026.

What is PFOS?

PFOS is part of a group of related chemicals that contain carbon, fluorine and other elements, known as perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS).

They are known as “forever chemicals”, as they are extremely persistent within the environment and human bodies, potentially leading to health problems.

PFOS has been used for a variety of products, including firefighting foams, due to its surface-active properties and surface resistance/repellency to oil, water and grease. PFOS is recognized as hazardous to humans, wildlife and the environment.

Application for New-buildings

Ships constructed (keel-laid) on or after 1 January 2026 and subject to compliance with SOLAS or the 1994/2000 HSC Code shall not be equipped with any firefighting foams containing PFOS in concentrations above 10 mg/kg (0.001% by weight) upon the ship’s delivery.

Application for vessels in operation

Ships constructed (keel-laid) before 1 January 2026 and subject to compliance with SOLAS or the 1994/2000 HSC Code shall comply with the new requirement no later than the first survey on or after 1 January 2026.

“First survey” is the first annual, periodical or renewal survey for the Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Certificate, Cargo Ship Safety Certificate, Passenger Ship Safety Certificate, or HighSpeed Craft Safety Certificate.

Please note that the flag administration may enforce these requirements for other vessel types.

Recommendations

By the first survey on or after 1 January 2026, ship owners/ managers/operators shall have evidence that the firefighting foams within the fixed fire-extinguishing systems and portable firefighting equipment on board are PFOS-free and shall have arranged for the safe disposal of any prohibited firefighting foams.

For extinguishing media installed before 1 January 2026 for which the manufacturer’s declaration or laboratory test report is not available, sampling and testing of the extinguishing media on board must be conducted.

Source: DNV

News from DNV 2025 PFOS prohibited in fire-extinguishing media from 1 January 2026