Identifying PFAS in Wire and Cable Compounds

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used to make fluoropolymer compounds, these compounds may be found in some wires and cables, and their packaging.

The usage of PFAS and it’s potential health impacts associated with long-term contact make reducing human and environmental exposure essential. Global, federal, state and regional chemical regulations have been introduced to control and eliminate the use of PFAS for specific applications. To help manufacturers demonstrate compliance with these regulations and meet market demands, UL Solutions developed a certification program to evaluate certain fluorines and PFAS containing materials for use as wire and cable compounds.

In the European Union (EU), PFAS, including PFOS, PFOA, PFCA and their related substances, are already regulated under REACH, POP legislation and the SVHC list. Other groups, such as PFHxS and PFHxA, are being proposed for restrictions.

In the U.S., a lack of federal regulations has led several states to adopt policies that prohibit the intentional addition of PFAS in various consumer products. For example, the state of Maine will prohibit the use of intentionally added PFAS in new products effective Jan. 1, 2030.

Demands to evaluate the presence of PFAS materials in their products challenge manufacturers to keep track of regulations and offer transparency to customers while providing compliant products. Our certification program evaluates the presence or absence of certain fluorine and PFAS in non-combustible wire and cable components in accordance with UL 746G, the Outline of Investigation for Non-Fluorine and Non-PFAS Containing Materials.

This Outline of Investigation defines the requirements for non-Fluorine or non-PFAS rating for plastic materials, compounds and components according to the following criteria:

Non-fluorine materials – Plastic materials recognized as non-fluorine contain less than 50 ppm of fluorine.

Non-PFAS materials – Plastic materials recognized as non-PFAS contain <50 ppm of fluorine and <25 ppb of certain specific PFAS content (listed in Table 8.2 of UL746G) and <250 ppb of total specific PFAS content. The PFAS and fluorine chemicals which are evaluated for UL 746G certification are limited to a subset of PFAS and fluorine chemicals and do not guarantee absence of PFAS or fluorine.

Cables using recognized component non-PFAS compounds may be permitted to be surface marked as non-PFAS in the print legend.  Cables using recognized component non-fluorinated compounds may be surface marked as non-fluorine in the print legend for the cable. As an example, the product category DUZX Guide Information states:

“Cable where it has been determined that all of the combustible materials used in the construction (e.g., insulation, fillers, jackets) meet the non-fluorine or non-PFAS requirements in accordance with UL 746G, Outline of Investigation for Non-Fluorine and Non-PFAS Containing Materials, may be surface marked non-fluorine, non-PFAS or both, depending on the investigation.”

UL Certified wires and cables permitted to be surface printed as “Non-Fluorine” and “Non-PFAS” must also meet all other requirements for the general certification.

We also continuously evolve our capabilities and services to meet our customers’ needs. Our goal is to help you rapidly develop and launch safer, more compliant products and meet the shifting requirements of a changing world.