Answering the call for PFAS-free consumer products
Why PFAS are a risk
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a diverse and expanding group of synthetic chemicals that can be found in a wide variety of consumer products. Their utility stems from their properties of water and/or oil repellency, high surface activity, fire resistance and thermal stability. Uses include creating a non-stick surface in cookware, acting as a surfactant or a flame retardant in the manufacture of consumer electronics, and repelling water and oil from textiles and leather goods.
However, there is a problem because most of them are now recognized as carcinogenic, toxic to reproduction (reprotoxic), harmful to fetus development and can have a harmful effect on the endocrine system. At the same time, they are inert and resistant to high temperatures due to their strong carbon-fluorine bonds, meaning they do not degrade and are bioaccumulative and very persistent in the environment – ‘forever chemicals’.
Across the globe, they are now found in all environments. Since the early 2000s, this has become a major research area, and the results are alarming. According to the most recent research by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), at least 70 million Americans drink water from systems containing PFAS at levels that require reporting.[1] However, the EPA has only checked around one-third of water systems so far, meaning the final total could be around 200 million, equating to around 60% of the population.[2]
But this is a global problem. For example, a study of Tokyo residents found their blood contained PFAS levels 2.7 times higher than the national average.[3] Even in populations with minimal exposure to industrial sources, alarming levels of PFAS are now being identified. A 2015 study of Inuit families in Ittoqoortoormiit, Greenland, found that 92% exceeded established immunotoxin thresholds for PFAS. This was because, despite living a long way from industry, their subsistence diet relied on marine mammals that live in polluted water.[4]
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Drivers for change
Global acknowledgment that PFAS are a threat to the environment and human health has led governments to begin introducing restrictions. In February 2023, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) issued a proposal to regulate around 10,000 PFAS in a wide variety of consumer products – from textiles, carpets and furniture to food packaging, medical devices and electronics and semiconductors.[5] In April 2024, while the ECHA is still in the process of reviewing the comments submitted concerning this proposal, the French National Assembly progressed with plans to introduce bans on PFAS in toys, cosmetics and textiles ahead of the EU-wide restriction.[6] The Danish government is also expected to publish legislation restricting PFAS in clothing, shoes and waterproofing products on July 1, 2025.[7] In the US, several states are implementing restrictions, including California, Maine and Washington, and the EPA has recently received USD 1 billion from the Federal Government to address the issue of PFAS in drinking water.[8] Finally, Japan is discussing strengthening its PFAS regulations, which currently only restrict perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and its salts in defined consumer goods.[9]
Ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements in each market can be difficult. There is no standardized approach to PFAS restrictions across the globe and government agencies are constantly reviewing and strengthening legislation in response to the latest scientific evidence. In the US, businesses must ensure compliance with the requirements of individual jurisdictions, and in Europe they must consider EU community-wide regulations, such as Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH), Directive 2008/98/EC ‘Waste Framework Directive’ and Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) and, if applicable, product-specific legislation, such as Regulation (EU) 10/2011 ‘Food Contact Plastics.’ Individual PFAS regulations exist in countries like Denmark, Albania, Montenegro, Norway, Switzerland and the UK. Finally, various PFAS regulations are in force in Canada, China, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan and Turkey.
At the same time, news stories are educating consumers about the threat of PFAS. Sustainability-conscious consumers are now aware they should buy products without PFAS to ensure they do not pollute the environment. However, there is a problem. An overreliance on self-declaration and the lack of a total solution to cover PFAS testing, assessment and certification means consumers are also wary of self-made claims of a product being ‘PFAS-free’.
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PFAS-free or PFAS-screened
According to ISO 14021:2016, a self-declared environmental claim of ‘…free’ can only be made if the “level of the specified substance is no more than that which would be found as an acknowledged trace contaminant or background level.” Since there are over 10,000 known PFAS compounds, it would be impossible, both in terms of costs and technicality, to test all compounds and, therefore, the claim of PFAS-free is, essentially, impossible to uphold.
However, the following analytical methods do exist to test materials for specific PFAS:
In addition, a risk assessment approach can be employed to verify components and products. This includes a document review covering the manufacturer’s quality management system (ISO 9001, QC 08000, etc.).
It is, therefore, possible to assess a material for specific PFAS based on market concerns, actual usage and regulatory considerations. Products can also be risk-assessed using previous test data, PFAS application and product knowledge.
A product or material evaluated using these methodologies and found not to contain targeted PFAS can be certified as PFAS-screened and may carry the relevant SGS green mark.
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SGS green marks
The SGS green marks are a proven way to demonstrate the validity of environmental attribute claims. Each mark covers an individual attribute claim, such as hazardous substances assessed, recycled content, product carbon footprint, carbon footprint reduced, biobased, PVC-free, industrial compostable and biodegradability.
The SGS PFAS-screened green mark can be applied to raw materials, packaging goods, components and finished products, but does not apply to any fluoropolymer or product containing a fluoropolymer.
Assessment is conducted using specific SGS protocols:
Once compliance is confirmed, certification runs for three years, with a requirement for annual surveillance.
The SGS PFAS-screened green mark can then be applied to the product, packaging and/or marketing materials. Each mark contains the internationally recognized SGS logo and details of the environmental claim, certification scheme, test protocol and product/material information. It also carries a QR code that directs the consumer to a database where they can confirm the veracity of the claim.
At a time when concerns over chemical use are growing in consumer product markets, the SGS green marks help to build your reputation and take advantage of the opportunities created by an increasingly eco-minded consumer base.
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