PFAS Testing and Certification Services for Plastics and Recycled Plastics

When selecting the correct materials for an application, different country and regional requirements may impact safety and performance standards depending on the markets where the products are manufactured and sold. In particular, PFAS have emerged as a critical focus area due to their widespread use and enduring impact on ecosystems and human health.

As the world works to become more sustainable, recycled plastics hold promise for our future, transforming how we live, work and build. At the same time, adhering to different regulatory, safety and quality requirements around the world creates challenges and opportunities for manufacturers and suppliers.

Combining our extensive materials knowledge and global regulations expertise, UL Solutions has designed a new Yellow Card Plastics Recognition Program, a certification program that tests plastic materials for common PFAS compounds and fluorine according to its publication UL 746G, titled the Outline of Investigation for Non-Fluorine and Non-PFAS Containing Materials. The certification service includes:

• Initial issuance of a certificate of compliance on a product’s recognition card.
• Listing of the recognition card on UL Product iQ®, UL Solutions’ certification directory.
• UL Solutions Follow-Up Services to confirm ongoing compliance.
   

PFAS regulations

Manufacturers use PFAS in fluoropolymer coatings and other materials to create products that resist water, dirt, oil, heat, stains and grease. These substances can be found in textiles, food packaging, cookware, cosmetics, paint, pesticides and electronics. However, their broad usage and the potential negative impacts associated with long-term contact make reducing human and environmental exposure critically important.

Within the last several years, many countries, including the United States and the European Union, have implemented new global and regional regulations banning or restricting the use of PFAS to limit, control and eliminate these forever chemicals.

Non-fluorine and non-PFAS Certification

As manufacturers, suppliers and retailers commit to recyclability goals, keeping track of applicable regulations while providing customers with transparency and compliant products is a complex challenge.

To address the ongoing market demand for non-PFAS materials, UL 746G, the Outline of Investigation for Non-Fluorine and Non-PFAS-Containing Materials, defines the methodology for evaluating PFAS in virgin and recycled materials with a clear path of sample and test requirements based on the material type.

UL 746G defines the requirements for achieving a non-fluorine or non-PFAS rating for plastic materials:

• Non-fluorine materials: Plastic materials recognized as non-fluorine contain <50 parts per million (ppm) of fluorine.
• Non-PFAS materials: Plastic materials recognized as non-PFAS contain <50 ppm of fluorine and <25 parts per billion (ppb) of specific PFAS content (listed in Table 8.2 of UL 746G) and <250 ppb of total specific PFAS content.
• Non-PFAS with total fluorine >50 mg/kg not due to polymeric PFAS: Plastic materials recognized as non-PFAS with total fluorine >50 mg/kg not due to polymeric PFAS contain <25 ppb of specific PFAS content (listed in Table 8.2 of UL 746G) and <250 ppb or total specific PFAS content, but has >50 ppm fluorine not due to polymeric PFAS. (Note: A thorough and complete material formulation review is required to verify that the fluorine in the materials is not due to PFAS)

As part of our UL Solutions Yellow Card Plastics Recognition program, discussed above, compliant products can then be published on Yellow Cards™ under QMFZ2 (Plastics — Component) to substantiate that the material is appropriate for the defined application and communicate to their customers that they are using a tested and certified material that will be monitored regularly by an independent testing laboratory. Materials can also be promoted and searchable through UL Product iQ® and ULTRUS™ Prospector®.