The French parliament has approved a landmark ban on using “forever chemicals” in common products including cosmetics, ski wax and clothing, a move that could reverberate beyond its borders.

France's parliament on Thursday voted to limit the production and sale of some items containing polluting and health-threatening "forever chemicals" including cosmetics, most clothing and ski wax in the Alpine nation.

France passed a law on Thursday banning the use of so-called "forever chemicals" in cosmetics and clothing. Forever chemicals, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are chemicals that do not break down in the natural environment and can be harmful to human health and the environment.