PFAS Testing

PFAS in textiles, footwear, and leather products are in the spotlight

PFAS can be found in a variety of textiles products, including clothing, footwear, upholstery, sportswear, and personal protective equipment. These chemicals can leach out of the products and enter the environment, where they can persist for many years and accumulate in the food chain.

PFAS are in the spotlight because of their bio-accumulative behaviour and associated health concerns, with many compounds showing high toxicity and some considered substances of very serious concern according to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

With that in mind, there is mounting concern on a global level about existing contamination levels and, consequently, imposing widespread restrictions. Legislation, NGO activity, industry and consumer pressure is resulting in widespread control of PFAS in consumer products, even total bans in some industries.

Our service scope in PFAS testing

Our global laboratory network provides world-class testing services for the textiles and garment industry.

Our team of experts has extensive experience in testing for a wide range of hazardous substances, including PFAS (Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl substances), our service scope in textile PFAS testing includes:

• Testing using LCMS/MS for all listed PFAS substances according to main global specifications and standards, including ISO/AFIRM/AAFA
• Total fluorine and, or, total organic fluorine screening for all fluorine-containing chemicals using Combustion Ion Chromatography (C/IC)
• Novel PFAS polymer testing to determine the presence of C8 and C6 chemistry
• Chem-ST smart testing chemistry services
• MRSL testing for PFAS in chemical formulations according to the ZDHC MRSL
• ZDHC Gateway listing certification (Level 1,2,3)
• Failure support and chemical substitution advice
• Supplier management support
• PFAS training and awareness
• Prop 65 screening

Total Fluorine (TF) and Total Organic Fluorine (TOF) PFAS Screening

The number of regulations already in force and forthcoming that restrict the manufacture and use of PFAS is rapidly increasing, to the point that relying on targeted PFAS testing will not be able to ensure compliance with all future regulations.

Some PFAS regulations already in force set limits on the presence of all PFAS.

Eurofins offers quantitative Total Fluorine (TF) and Total Organic Fluorine (TOF) testing services for a wide variety of matrices, including consumer products, which can be used to screen for the presence of all PFAS in your matrix.

As PFAS chemicals contain organic fluorine, if the detected level of TOF is greater than the regulated limit of PFAS in your matrix (e.g. > 50ppm, or >100ppm for many consumer products), further analysis such as targeted PFAS testing, can be used to determine which PFAS is present to help you cleanse your supply chain.

Why choose us

Our PFAS testing supports science-based sustainability targets and helps assure worker and consumer safety whilst reducing legal violations, fines, returns and reworks.

As a trusted partner with global reach, we understand the importance of ensuring that textiles, leather and footwear products are safe for children and families as part of a sustainable supply chain.

Contact us for further information and to discuss your testing needs.