ESG Enforcement Tracker

Key facts:

On 9 July 2025, France Nature Environnement (FNE) and Générations Futures and l’Association citoyenne et laïque des consommateurs (ACLC) filed a complaint against SEB Group and its subsidiary Tefal. The complaint relates to a 2024 advertising campaign in which Tefal said “our non-stick coatings are recognised as safe”.

FNE and ACLC allege that it was deceptive of Tefal to promote their products as safe because they contained PTFE (i.e. Teflon) rather than PFOA (a known banned PFAS carcinogen). FNE and ACLC highlight in their complaint that Tefal’s campaign failed to mention the environmental and health risks associated with PTFE.

SEB Group responded by making a statement acknowledging the complaint. They also referenced the fact that certain health authorities, such as those in Canada and Australia, had confirmed the safety of PTFE for decades.
In February 2025, France officially adopted a law banning PFAS in certain products, with kitchen utensils excluded from the ban following strong lobbying efforts.