Résumé
Per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are man-made compounds which are involved in many consumable products. In recent years, after the deposition of a dossier by five member states, a project of PFAS restriction has been raised by US and European regulation agencies. Though certain are toxic, bioaccumulative and cross human cellular membranes, others, such as fluoropolymers, are safe, reliable, involved in many applications (high tech in which items undergo severe mechanical, thermal and stress conditions), fulfill the 13 polymer of low concern criteria and do not cross gastrointestinal membranes. This perspective focuses on a brief history on fluorochemicals, followed by the characteristics, properties and limitations of these products and fluoropolymers as well as recent information on regulations concerning PFASs. (c) 2025 The Author(s). Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.