PFAS Testing & Compliance Solutions For US and EU Consumer Products

Why Is PFAS Testing Essential?

Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used in consumer products for their water, stain, and grease resistant properties—found in packaging, textiles, cookware, cosmetics, and electronics. With over 15,000 PFAS types identified, these “forever chemicals” raise ongoing health and environmental concerns.

PFAS have been linked to reproductive, carcinogenic, and other serious risks. As a result, PFAS regulations in the US and EU are tightening rapidly, demanding rigorous PFAS testing and robust PFAS compliance from all brands, retailers, and manufacturers.

PFAS Testing for Consumer Products: What’s at Stake?

· Regulatory action: The EPA and various US states enforce differing PFAS limits; the EU restricts substances like PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, and is expanding to new categories for consumer products.

· Typical products impacted: Food packaging, water/stain-resistant clothing, cosmetics, furniture, cookware, electronics, and more.

· Compliance risk: Failure to comply can lead to significant lawsuits, costly recalls, supply chain disruption, and reputational damage.

Over 15,000Substances in PFAS Family

Over 95%of the USA Adult Population have detectable levels of PFAS in their bodies

Highest Settlement $12.5bnOver PFAS contamination lawsuits by top chemical firms

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TYPICAL PRODUCTS IMPACTED BY PFAS

PFAS are well-known for a variety of functions, including waterproofing and stain-resistance properties, which are found in a vast array of consumer products including the following:

• Paper and food packaging (pizza cartons, coffee cups, popcorn bags)
• Stain-resistant coatings used on upholstery and fabrics
• Water-resistant clothing (outerwear, sportswear)
• Furniture, outdoor textiles, and associated products
• Cleaning products and spray on fabric treatment
• Cookware
• Rugs and carpets
• Paints, adhesives, varnishes, or sealants
• Electrical Products (cords, microchips)
• Personal care, cosmetics, and hygiene products (oil- and waterproof and 'long wear' makeup, lotions)

TYPICAL CLAIMS RELATED TO PFAS

Some common PFAS product and marketing claims related to these properties can be found on product packaging or labels including some of the claims below:

• Stain Resistant/ Repellent/ Proof
• Oil Resistant/ Repellent/ Proof
• Water Resistant/ Repellent/ Proof
• Heat Resistant
• Non-Stick Coating
• Long Lasting (Make-up)

US PFAS LEGISLATION

Over the past few years, U.S. EPA and various U.S. states have started to regulate PFAS in a number of different ways.

Around the industry, groups such as Apparel and Footwear International RSL Management (AFIRM) Group and American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) have expanded the number of PFAS chemicals they include in their Restricted Substances Lists (RSL) and ASTM International has created ASTM 3700-25, a guide for selecting and applying test methods for PFAS products.

Brands and retailers selling consumer products in the US market face challenges in complying with a patchwork of state regulations on PFAS chemicals. They must track varying standards, anticipate future federal rules, reformulate products, test new materials, manage supply chains, and increase transparency all while controlling costs. The complexities of navigating this emerging regulatory landscape filled with uncertainties require companies to be proactive and work closely with their supply chain in order to adapt to tighter policies on PFAS.

Stay up-to-date with our Latest PFAS news and updates for US consumer products.

View Latest State Summary Chart

As of May 2025 13US states have enacted PFAS in consumer product laws

3 PFASare listed on the California Proposition 65 chemicals list

Highest settlement $15MAgainst PFAS Lawsuits from one of the top apparel brands in the US

EU PFAS LEGISLATION

The European Union has also started taking actions to regulate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) chemicals in recent years due to growing health and environmental concerns.

The EU has expanded restrictions on perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluoro hexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS) and related compounds under EU 2019/1021. Those PFAS and its related compounds have been used as polymerization aids to produce fluoropolymers and are found in non-stick coatings, waterproof fabrics, firefighting foams, and other consumer and industrial products.

The EU has also restricted PFNA in REACH Annex XVII under the restriction for C9-C14 PFCA, which includes PFNA (C9), PFDA (C10), PFUnA (C11), PFDoA (C12), PFTrA (C13) and PFTeA (C14). Besides C9-C14 PFCA and related substances, the EU introduced a restriction for PFHxA and related substances under REACH Annex XVII, which is applicable from 10 October 2026.

Several EU member states including Denmark and France have taken more aggressive actions to limit PFAS in products. For example, France bans the manufacture, import, export, and marketing of cosmetics, clothing textiles, and ski wax containing PFAS from 1 July 2026. Denmark plans to ban PFAS from 1 July 2026 with a limit of 50 mg/kg for total Fluorine for clothing, footwear, and waterproofing agents.

Stay up-to-date with our Latest PFAS news and updates for EU consumer products.

Study found PFAS in 82%of Apparel Samples from 40 Major Brands Sold in Europe

Restriction for C9-C14comes in force February 2023

PFAS found in 29out of 30 rain jackets purchased in several EU countries

BV’s PFAS Testing & Compliance Program

Bureau Veritas offers advanced PFAS testing protocols tailored for US and EU consumer product markets:

· Custom testing protocols: Identify and quantify regulated PFAS with precise, accredited lab analysis.

· Comprehensive PFAS compliance: Stay ahead of changing standards—US federal/state or EU/REACH— using our regulatory monitoring and specialist guidance.

· Supply chain transparency: Manage risk by testing both products and processes, ensuring compliance throughout your sourcing and vendor network.

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