PFAS testing: Prepare now for regulatory compliance
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose significant challenges to various industries due to their persistence, bio-accumulative nature, and potential adverse health effects. One of the primary challenges facing industries involves the widespread use and presence of PFAS in numerous products and processes. PFAS are commonly found in firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and various industrial applications due to their unique properties such as oil and water repellency. This ubiquity makes it challenging for industries to identify and mitigate exposure risks effectively.
Another challenge lies in the regulatory landscape surrounding PFAS, which is rapidly evolving as more research uncovers their environmental and health impacts. While some jurisdictions have implemented regulations to restrict or ban specific PFAS compounds, there is a lack of comprehensive regulation globally. This fragmented regulatory environment complicates compliance efforts for industries operating across different regions, leading to inconsistencies in risk management practices and product formulations. Moreover, the absence of standardized testing methods and threshold limits for PFAS further complicates regulatory compliance and risk assessment for industries.
Public and consumer awareness surrounding PFAS contamination has intensified, placing pressure on industries to address concerns about product safety and environmental stewardship. As awareness grows, consumers are demanding more transparency about the presence of PFAS in products and their potential health impacts. This heightened scrutiny can lead to reputational risks for companies associated with PFAS contamination, affecting brand loyalty and market share. Industries must navigate these challenges by adopting proactive risk management strategies, investing in research and development of PFAS alternatives, and collaborating with regulators, stakeholders, and communities to address the complex issues surrounding PFAS contamination effectively.
In the US-American market, some states have already introduced restrictions on the use of PFAS in clothing or food packaging, and in the EU there is a proposal that, in its current form, would represent one of the largest bans on chemicals in Europe.
CalProp 65 has added PFAS to the list of chemicals here: https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/proposition-65-list/. The most recent “60-Day Notification Summary” has included over 16 court settlement cases specifically targeting PFAS substances in consumer products and packaging.
Respond to the issue now!
TÜV Rheinland offers a wide range of services to detect PFAS in products and components (intentional use or as contamination). Chemical analyses give brands, retailers and suppliers the opportunity to meet existing legal requirements under EU and US law and prepare for future legislation. We offer three different testing packages:
Test package 1:
Existing market restrictions US & EU
Test package 2:
Testing of more than 100 PFAS
Test package 3:
Total fluorine content
Existing market restrictions US & EU.
Testing of more than 200 PFAS Substances
* Total Fluorine Screening to EN14582:2016 or ASTM D7359:2018
Screening method detects presence of any fluorine. It will not differentiate between Inorganic and Organic fluorine. It does not provide information on the specific compounds present. Findings would require additional testing.
Pro: Total screen, will cover any fluorine compound.
Con: Further investigation may not discover source of fluorine, only rule out tested substances.
Chemical analyses - Trust in experienced professionals
You can safeguard your products with a chemical analysis. As an experienced testing and certification body, we have been dealing with the internationally applicable limit values for a wide range of chemical groups for years. You can find out about our services in the field of chemical analysis at any time on our website. For your questions and concerns, our PFAS experts are of course also available to you personally.
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