Swedish fashion retailer H&M has put a global ban on Perfluorinated Compounds (PFCs) as part of its eco-friendly initiative. The ban will be effective from January 1, 2013, meaning that all orders placed after this date will be produced without PFCs.

PFCs are used to achieve water repellent function mainly on outer wear garments; however they are harmful for the environment, for reproduction and for aquatic organisms. Since 1995, H&M has been working to reduce the use and impact of hazardous chemicals, and there are now alternatives which can be used on all fabrics used by the retailer.

H&M is part of AFIRM, an international working team of leading companies within the textile and footwear industries, educating the suppliers to achieve good chemical management, and this ban is the result of the brand following through on its plans to restrict and phase out perfluorinated substances.