Fluorine Ban in Ski Wax: What Applies Since 2023?

Since the 2023/24 season, fluorinated ski waxes are banned across the entire FIS competition scope. This affects all FIS disciplines — Alpine, Cross-Country, Ski Jumping, and Nordic Combined — and all age classes; the IBU has issued a parallel ban for biathlon.

The rule is clear: No perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may be present in wax, overlays, or other base treatments. The FIS enforces the ban with portable handheld devices that measure directly on the base. Anyone exceeding the defined measurement threshold is disqualified.

The reasons are both environmental and health-related:

• Environmental pollution: Fluorine compounds (PFAS) are so-called "forever chemicals" — they practically never break down in nature. Through wax abrasion on ski slopes, they enter soil and groundwater. Studies have found elevated PFAS concentrations near cross-country trails and ski slopes.
• Health risk: When ironing fluorine wax, toxic fumes are produced. Service technicians were exposed to these fumes for years. Studies show elevated PFAS levels in the blood of ski service personnel. Fluorine compounds are suspected of being carcinogenic and disrupting the hormonal system.
• Cost and fairness: High-performance fluorine waxes cost up to 300–400 Swiss francs per piece. This systematically disadvantaged smaller nations and federations. The ban creates a fairer competitive environment.

The industry has worked intensively on alternatives. Four additive classes now replace the hydrophobic properties of fluorine:

• Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂): A solid lubricant with a layered crystal structure. Reduces friction and repels dirt. Particularly effective on moist snow and man-made snow because it lubricates even without a water film.
• Graphite and carbon: Make the base anti-static — prevents electrostatic charging that causes braking on cold, dry snow. Good on dirty or old snow.
• DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon): Nano-coating with extremely low friction and high hardness. Latest technology, research subject at Fraunhofer IWM.
• Silicone-based additives: Improve hydrophobicity and thus water drainage on wet snow.

In many conditions, the new waxes come close to or even surpass the old fluorine waxes. Development advances every season.

All five manufacturers in the raceday.ski database (127 products) have completely converted their lines to fluorine-free:

• Swix (28 products): Three performance tiers: PS (Training, from ~8 €/60g), HS (Race, from ~16 €/60g), TS Black (Top Race with MoS₂, from ~45 €/40g). Plus Pure overlays: PF (Fine, for new snow), PC (Coarse, for old/man-made snow), PM Pure Moly. Liquid finishes: TS Liquid, LF Lotus, LFC AmphiGlide.
• Toko (33 products): Tradition brand (founded 1916, ski wax since 1933). Base Performance (Training), Performance and Natural Speed (Race), WC High Performance (Premium). Unique Jet system with Liquid, Powder, and Bloc in identical temperature ranges.
• Holmenkol (18 products): Inventor of modern ski wax, first SWAN-ECO-certified wax company. Base: Alpha/Beta/Ultra Mix. Race: Syntec FF Bar (Yellow/Red/Blue/Green down to -30°C). Finish: FF1 (World Cup) as Powder and Liquid, FF2 (Racing) as Liquid.
• HWK (23 products): Handcrafted in Ebbs, Tyrol. Official supplier of the Austrian (OeSV) and German (DSV) ski federations. LX Basewax, HX Racewax (with dedicated Newsnow line), Alpin Racing PRO (developed with Marcel Hirscher's service technician Edi Unterberger). Most extensive finish system: UHX as Spray, Block, and Powder.
• Rex (25 products): N-KINETIC 3rd generation, UHW technology (Ultra Hard Wax). NF Sisu Base, NF race waxes (NF11 Yellow to NF41 Pink/Green for abrasive snow). NFX N-KINETIC Powder mostly at 178–182°C (exception NFX 11 Yellow: ~130°C) — the highest iron temperature of any system. Rub-On blocks (Gold/Blue/NEW/OLD) named by snow type.

For recreational skiers, the fluorine ban is good news:

• Cheaper: Fluorine-free waxes cost significantly less. Training wax from ~8 €, good race wax from 20–50 € instead of 100+ for fluorine.
• Healthier: No more risk from toxic fumes when ironing. However: A well-ventilated room is still recommended.
• Simpler: The complex fluorine overlay layer system is gone. Wax selection has become more straightforward.
• No disqualification risk: Even at citizen races, fluorine testing is sometimes conducted. With fluorine-free waxes, you're on the safe side.

All 127 products in the raceday.ski database are completely fluorine-free and FIS-compliant. The wax advisor exclusively recommends waxes that may be legally used in competition.

The database covers products for every layer — base wax (9 products), race wax (35), race powder (32), liquid finish (37), training (10), universal (2), and cleaning (2). Whether hot wax, powder, liquid, spray, or rub-on block — all guaranteed PFAS-free.