PFAS Testing, Validation and Advisory Services

What are PFAS and why do they matter?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of thousands of artificial substances used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist water, dirt, oil, heat, stains and grease. They are widely used in textiles, food packaging, cosmetics, electronics and other applications. PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, are highly persistent in the environment and pose serious risks to human health.

Concerns about the impact of these toxic substances have led to public demand for action, as well as from governments and technical committees responsible for safety and environmental standards. In response, new chemical regulations have been introduced around the world to restrict and control the use of certain PFAS in specific applications.

For example, in the EU, PFAS, including Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS), Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA), Perfluorocarboxylic Acid (PFCA), Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), Undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), their salts and their related substances, are already regulated under Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) legislation and the Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) list.

There is a current larger proposal for restrictions that will cover all PFAS with specific exemptions and different dates of entry into force for specific uses and applications.

PFAS is defined as any substance that contains at least one fully fluorinated methyl (CF3-) or methylene (-CF2-) carbon atom without any hydrogen, chlorine, bromine or iodine attached to it.

In the U.S., due to the lack of federal regulations banning the use of PFAS in consumer products, many state legislatures are acting to help mitigate the use of these chemicals in various consumer products. Several states have already adopted policies prohibiting the intentional addition of PFAS to various consumer products. The states of Maine, Minnesota and New Mexico will prohibit the use of intentionally added PFAS in products without a current unavoidable use waiver, effective Jan. 1, 2032. Leading up to the all-product ban, Minnesota and New Mexico will institute reporting regulations for all products with intentionally added PFAS sold, offered for sale or distributed in the state(s). Minnesota’s reporting regulation begins July 1, 2026, while New Mexico’s begins Jan. 1, 2027. In addition to reporting, New Mexico will also require the labeling of products containing intentionally added PFAS beginning Jan. 1, 2027.