AFFF Fire Extinguisher Ban: What UK Businesses Need to Know Before July 2025

Check out our LinkedIn for live updates

Dan Pegram

Published: 25/04/2025

Fire safety regulations are evolving in 2025, and one major change on the horizon is the UK ban on Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) fire extinguishers. From 4 July 2025, these extinguishers—commonly used to tackle flammable liquid and solid fires—will be completely prohibited due to environmental and health concerns.

If your business uses AFFF extinguishers, it’s vital to act now. At Flame UK, we help businesses navigate this transition safely and legally, with specialist hazardous waste disposal services to handle AFFF responsibly.

Why Is AFFF Being Banned?

AFFF has long been considered effective for suppressing fires involving flammable liquids (Class B) and solids (Class A). However, it contains PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)—a group of toxic chemicals known as “forever chemicals”.

PFAS are extremely persistent in the environment and have been linked to serious health issues such as:

Liver and kidney disease
Reduced fertility
Certain types of cancer

Because of these risks, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has pushed for regulatory action, leading to a phased ban on AFFF across the UK and Europe.

What Does the Ban Mean for Your Business?

From 4 July 2025, AFFF fire extinguishers must no longer be used, stored, or refilled. If your business currently holds AFFF units, you will need to:

Identify all AFFF extinguishers on site
Arrange for their safe disposal through a licensed hazardous waste provider
Switch to compliant, PFAS-free alternatives

Improper disposal is illegal, and businesses must not attempt to discard AFFF extinguishers with general waste. These units are classed as hazardous waste and must be handled by a certified waste management company—like Flame UK.

Eco-Friendly Alternatives to AFFF

Once you’ve confirmed AFFF is no longer needed, it’s worth exploring safer alternatives. Depending on your fire risks, you may be able to switch to:

Water extinguishers – Ideal for wood, paper, and textile fires
CO2 extinguishers – Suitable for electrical fires
Class F extinguishers – Designed for cooking oil fires in kitchens
Water mist extinguishers – Multi-purpose and free from harmful chemicals
Fluoro-free foam extinguishers – Safer, PFAS-free alternatives with cream-coloured labelling

It’s also a good time to review your fire safety setup and check if you need foam extinguishers at all.

How Flame UK Can Support You

At Flame UK, we specialise in hazardous waste disposal, including the safe collection, transport, and treatment of AFFF fire extinguishers. We ensure your business remains fully compliant with UK waste regulations and environmental laws.

Our services include:

Identification and safe removal of AFFF units
Licensed transport of hazardous materials
Full documentation and waste transfer notes
Guidance on compliant extinguisher alternatives

Take Action Before the Deadline

To stay ahead of the July 2025 ban, we recommend:

Educate your staff on the new equipment and protocols.
Audit your fire safety equipment to identify any AFFF extinguishers.
Book a hazardous waste collection with Flame UK.
Source compliant, eco-friendly extinguishers to replace your AFFF units.

Need Help Disposing of AFFF Fire Extinguishers?

Get in touch with Flame UK today. Our expert team is on hand to support your business with safe, legal, and environmentally responsible hazardous waste disposal—so you can focus on what matters most.

Call us or enquire online to book your AFFF extinguisher disposal today.

Contact Us