The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) today announced that the fluor wax ban will be fully implemented at the start of the upcoming 2023/2024 winter season.
 
FIS has remained committed to banning fluor products used in ski preparation given the health risks and environmental concerns connected to fluorine waxes. Working with Bruker, a leading manufacturer of high-performance scientific instruments, while maintaining a close collaboration with the International Biathlon Union (IBU) through a joint working group, an effective and accurate testing method was developed. 

FIS spent the last winter carrying out extensive testing of the device and training of the officials who will carry out the testing, ensuring that the device will provide reliable results to ensure fluor-free competitions. 

FIS will carry out testing to ensure that skis are fluor-free at top-tier events, including the FIS World Ski Championships, FIS World Cup competition and other major events such as FIS Junior World Ski Championships. Testing at lower-level events will be carried out on a random basis to ensure those events are also regulated.

“We are pleased that we can now fully implement the fluor wax ban across our major competitions,” said FIS Vice President Roman Kumpost who worked closely with the project. “This is a key step in guaranteeing the integrity of competitions and minimizing the impact of the adverse health and environmental effects of the product.”

FIS will continue to work closely with all involved stakeholders throughout the summer to ensure everyone is fully prepared when the ban takes full effect at the start of the 2023-24 winter season.