Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

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Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of manufactured carbon and fluorine-based chemicals, including chemicals known as PFOS, PFOA, GenX, and more. PFAS are resistant to heat, oil, and water and have been used in various consumer and industrial products, including protective coatings in non-stick cookware, waterproof fabrics, fast food packaging, and firefighting foams.

Are PFAS Regulated?

Regulatory bodies and policymakers across the United States, Canada, the European Union, and Australia are establishing guidelines and standards to mitigate the environmental and human health risks associated with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Globally, regulations are being implemented to collect data, ban, or restrict the use of PFAS in certain products. Due to ongoing concerns regarding their impact on health and the environment, these regulations are continually evolving to address emerging evidence and risks.

Our Solutions

Our global team of regulatory experts and scientists (chemists and toxicologists) can provide customized chemical safety and regulatory solutions to help you deliver and compliant products to the market. We offer a full range of consulting service to help you develop a comprehensive compliance plan.

Regulatory Newsletters

Our experts are constantly monitoring regulatory changes and emerging issues relating to PFAS. We can compile an up-to-date PFAS market news report, including any regulatory updates tailored to your industry.

PFAS Chemical Testing

If necessary, our experts can screen your products for the potential inclusion of specific PFAS or total organic fluorine (or conduct a scientific investigation to determine the chemical exposure for consumer products.

Performance Testing of PFAS-Free Products

If your company has developed a PFAS free product, we can develop a tailored suite of performance testing solutions for companies wishing to manufacture PFAS-free replacement products. Through our testing and evaluation, we are able to compare a product’s performance against an existing product line to ensure quality is maintained. We can test for grease resistance (e.g., TAPPI T559, ISO 16532), water absorptivity (e.g., ISO 535, TAPPI T441), rigidity, or other property testing for other industries.

Food Contact Compliance

Our experts can provide food contact testing and regulatory support to achieve compliance and can assist with new product/additive submissions to the appropriate regulatory authorities for evaluation.

Global Regulatory Approvals

We can assist you in collecting the right documentation needed to obtain regulatory approvals for successful market entry.

Intertek’s holistic and strategic approach to chemical management can provide you with the strategic plan and insight you need for your specific products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Unfortunately, no. Here are some examples of the types of definitions currently used.
Some jurisdictions and regulations like Canada for its Reporting Rule, outlined specific Chemical Abstract Services Registry Number (CASRN) to be included.

- In the Federal US Reporting Rule Regulation, PFAS are defined as including at least one of these three structures:
- R-(CF2)-CF(R’)R’’, where both the CF2 and CF moieties are saturated carbons;
- R-CF2OCF2-R’, where R and R’ can either be F, O, or saturated carbons; and
- CF3C(CF3)R’R’’, where R’ and R’’ can either be F or saturated carbons.

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) PFAS definition identifies them as fluorinated substances with at least one fully fluorinated methyl (-CF₃or methylene (CF₂) carbon atom, excluding H, Cl, Br, or I from that specific group. This creates a broad, scientifically robust definition covering thousands of chemicals, including precursors and degradation products.
Other jurisdictions, usually highlight specific PFAS, such as PFOA or PFOS.

Yes, several U.S. states, including but not limited to, California, Connecticut, Maine, Minnesota, New York and New Mexico have enacted legislature that ban the manufacture, sale, and distribution of certain product categories that contain intentionally added PFAS. Examples of regulated categories include cookware, cosmetics, textiles, food packaging, and juvenile products. Although there are some similarities between the states, the prohibition dates and regulated product categories can vary.

It takes a lot of time. Asian countries, the European Union (EU), EU member states, Canada, US Federal and US States are all implementing requests for data, restricting PFAS in certain industries or banning PFAS. You can subscribe to news services and certain governments have implemented email updates that you can sign up for. Intertek can conduct a horizon scanning for sectors and jurisdictions you are interested in to determine any obligations or restrictions applicable to your product line.

Yes, individual states are moving towards requiring reporting of detailed information about the PFAS content in your products. Currently, Minnesota, Connecticut, and New Mexico require reporting, but it is important to stay up-to-date with legislative measures in other states. Intertek can assist with collection of the necessary information, data analysis, and report preparation.