PFAS are widely applied in textile and leather finishes as water or oil repellent treatments, packaging materials for protection, non-stick coating in cookware, and so on. However, PFAS substances are carcinogenic. They persist in the environment and may cause bioaccumulation in mammals.

PFAS RESTRICTIONS

The use of PFAS is restricted in many countries and regions, including the European Union, the United States and Asian markets. Industrial organizations such as the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Foundation, Cooperation at DSI (CADS), bluesign® and the Apparel and Footwear International RSL Management (AFIRM) group also drive chemical suppliers and manufacturers towards the well-controlled use of PFAS in production processes.

Furthermore, it is observed that an increasing number of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have initiated PFAS studies on a wide variety of products including food contact materials (FCM), yoga pants, functional underwear, etc. In the view of this, many international brands in Europe and the US have already stopped using PFAS, or have adopted alternative technologies in functional wear and products.

Some PFAS regulations do not provide a clear list of substances. For example, California AB 652 and AB 1200 prohibit PFAS’ containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. EU 2021/1297 restricts linear and branched perfluorocarboxylic acids containing 9 to 14 carbon atoms in the chain (C9-C14 PFCA), their salts, and other related substances under EU REACH. However, some regulations fail to provide a list with limited number of target PFAS. This causes difficulties in assessing the risk and measuring the presence of restricted PFAS in a product.

SGS SOLUTION

In response, we now offer a tailormade PFAS Test Program as a onestop solution to meet EU, US and other market requirements, providing client support for compliance and product integrity.

SGS PFAS TEST METHODS:

• Total Fluorine Screening reference to EN 14582

•  Suitable for US market regulations where the substance list has not been well-defined
• Quick method to check any non-intentionally added fluorinated substance, or any contamination of fluorinated substance in the final product

• Individual PFAS test

• Fulfill EU POP and REACH regulatory PFAS substance requirements
• Focus on market requirements and worldwide regulations governing SGS’s optimized target list of PFAS substances list

Additionally, we are able to provide services for Total Organic Fluorine screening and other tailor-made testing against client-specific protocols.

Green Mark PFAS Assessment Services

SGS can conduct testing and evaluation for hundreds of PFAS substances and requires clients to provide a Bill of Materials (BOM) or sign a declaration form to confirm compliance of the fluorinated polymers claimed in their products.

Once certified, the Green Mark label can be displayed on products, packaging, or marketing materials. Scanning the QR code on the label allows for verification of the certification's validity at any time.

WHY SGS?

We are a trusted and independent third-party service provider providing tailor-made PFAS testing services using verified test methods for a wide range of product types. We help you to ensure that your products comply with statutory and voluntary regulatory requirements.