Skiwax Europe: IBU and FIS implement full fluor ban for the upcoming 2022/23 season!

April 11, 2022 Thomas Kuus Comments

IBU and FIS announced full ban on ski wax products containing fluor

The International Biathlon Union (IBU) announced on the 7th of April that it will implement a full ban of ski preparation products containing fluor at all its event series from the 2022/2023 season onwards.

The IBU committed to banning flour products used in ski preparation in 2020 based on the apparent health risks and environmental concerns connected to fluorine waxes.

Testing method: Alpha II device

Working together with Bruker, a leading manufacturer of high-performance scientific instruments, while maintaining a close collaboration with the International Ski Federation (FIS) through a joint working group, the IBU has also developed an effective testing method using the Alpha II device.

The device provides reliable testing to ensure fluor-free biathlon competitions.

IBU will test to ensure that skis are fluor-free at each IBU event, guaranteeing the integrity of competitions and a level playing field.

The IBU held joined tests of the device with its National Federations (NFs) and industry representatives at four World Cup events and demonstrated the testing method to the IBU Athletes Committee at the World Cup final in Oslo, Norway.

More tests and education seminars are planned for NFs, their teams and technicians, and for partners from the industry well before the season starts.

More information about the testing procedures on-site at competitions and about the integration into the IBU Event and Competition Rules will be communicated in due course.

FIS Council meeting April 2022

The FIS Council held an online meeting at the beginning of April to discuss the Fluorinated Wax Ban Update.

It was also reported that after comprehensive testing, FIS is now prepared to fully enforce the Fluorinated Wax ban at the start of the 2022-2023 winter season.

The rules regarding the fluor wax ban will be defined at the upcoming FIS Congress, which will then be implemented at the start of the winter 2022-23 season.

PFOA-free ski wax lines have been introduced by top ski wax brands

Top ski wax brands all over the globe have been aiming to contribute to a more environmentally friendly future for skiing and moving toward fluor free ski waxes since the beginning of the 2010s.

For example, Swix began their project to phase out fluoro material in ski waxes already in 2013, which they successfully completed in 2021.

Now they have removed all fluoride material from their ski waxes and 100% of the products they manufacture and sell are fluorine-free and do not contain other toxic substances.

Another example is Vauhti’s PURE collection. It is a completely new fluorine-free ski wax and care product line that covers product categories up to the race skiers.

A cleaner and more responsible ski wax is Vauhti’s answer to the needs and values of today’s consumers.

All ski waxes currently up to 25% OFF at Skiwax Europe

Shop here.

Skiwax Europe
All for ski preparation!
www.skiwax.eu

Official announcement sources: IBU and FIS.