Testing Services

PFAS

PFAS

Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Testing

All-in-One Testing Services

 

PFAS are among the most widespread fluorinated pollutants found in products today. Their toxicity, bioaccumulation, mobility, resistance to degradation, and extensive application have garnered global attention. In recent years, various countries have conducted in-depth research on their impacts, listing them as critical indicators in environmental regulations. Recently, governments have successively introduced restrictive regulations, driving enterprises to improve production processes and reduce environmental impact. Through PFAS testing, companies can achieve stricter control over raw materials, identify problems early, and avoid risks of product delays or production interruptions due to regulatory changes.

What

What is PFAS

The definition of PFAS was first proposed by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) in 2021 and is currently widely cited by government authorities worldwide.

  • Definition: Any fluorinated substance that contains at least one fully fluorinated methyl group (-CF3) or a fully fluorinated methylene group (-CF2-) without any H/Cl/Br/I atom attached to it is a PFAS (with a few exceptions).

    The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) is an intergovernmental international organization composed of 37 market economy countries, headquartered in Paris, France.

  • The PFAS chemical "family" is enormous; there are currently over 10,000 known types of these fluorine-based compounds, and the number continues to grow. Please refer to the following diagram for a clearer explanation.
PFAS Family Tree - Fluorinated substances are divided into organic and inorganic. Organic fluorinated substances are simplified into PFAS and other organic fluorinated substances. PFAS is further divided into two major groups: PFSAs and PFCAs. Common substances under PFSAs include PFOS and PFHxS. Common substances under PFCAs include PFHxA and PFOA.
What is PFAS

Why

Why the International Community is Focusing on PFAS

Difficult to Degrade: "Forever Chemicals"

Their chemical structure mainly consists of carbon-fluorine (C-F) bonds atoms. The high bond energy carbon-fluorine bond results in extreme stability. Because of their non-stick, hydrophobic, oleophobic, low-friction, and persistent properties, they resistant to degradation in the environment, hence they are referred to as "Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)" or "forever chemicals."

Mobility and Bioaccumulation

The extreme stability of PFAS makes them resistant to environmental degradation, leading to their continuous circulation and accumulation in the environment and living organisms.

Human Health Implications

Epidemiological and toxicological studies indicate that the bioaccumulation of PFAS is associated with multiple adverse health effects, including hepatotoxicity, oncogenicity, and developmental toxicity. Furthermore, these substances exhibit transplacental transfer and can be excreted through lactation, leading to neonatal exposure.

Broad Spectrum of Industrial and Consumer Applications 

Due to their exceptional chemical stability, amphiphobic (hydrophobic/oleophobic) properties, and low frictional coefficients, PFAS are extensively utilized as surfactants, surface functional coatings, and precision cleaning agents. Furthermore, they serve as critical polymerization aids (processing aids) in the synthesis of fluoropolymers and elastomers. Consequently, PFAS are widely incorporated into technical textiles, food contact materials (packaging), high-performance lubricants, specialized refrigerants, and various components in the electronics and construction industries.

Where

Common Applications of PFAS in Electronic and Electrical Products

Metal Electroplating

Deployed as functional wetting agents to reduce the surface tension of electrolytic baths, effectively inhibiting the aerosolization of hexavalent chromium and ensuring emissions compliance.

Metal Product Manufacturing and Surface Treatment 

Deployed to lower surface tension and optimize the leveling and uniformity of metal coatings. These substances effectively suppress acid mist generation, enhance corrosion resistance for steel substrates, and extend the service life of chemical baths.

Consumer Products

Surface-active cleaning agents and polishes for glass, metal, and ceramic substrates.

Aviation & Industrial Application

High-performance, hydrophobic rain repellents engineered for the aviation industry to maintain windshield visibility under extreme weather conditions.

Medical Devices and Healthcare Applications

Utilized in implantable devices (such as vascular grafts and surgical meshes) and medical-grade textiles due to their chemical inertness. PFAS-based fluoropolymers and elastomers are critical for manufacturing medical-grade tubing, catheters, and sterile barrier packaging. Additionally, they serve as essential insulating and high-durability components in medical electronics and diagnostic equipment.

Electronics and Semiconductor Fabrication

Essential for high-frequency wiring and coaxial cable insulation, dielectric materials for Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs), and functional coatings for flat-panel displays. In advanced semiconductor manufacturing, they are critical for photolithography chemicals (photoresists and anti-reflective coatings), silicon wafer wet processing, and high-purity heat transfer fluids (coolants).
PFAS Environmental Release and Exposure Pathways

PFAS are synthetic compounds that do not occur naturally in the environment. Following their synthesis in chemical manufacturing facilities, these substances are supplied downstream to various sectors for utilization as processing aids or functional ingredients in end products.
Throughout their lifecycle—spanning industrial manufacturing, consumer usage, and end-of-life disposal—PFAS are inevitably released into atmospheric, terrestrial, and aquatic environments. Due to their exceptional water solubility and resistance to soil sorption, these compounds exhibit high environmental mobility, facilitating rapid transport through groundwater systems. Consequently, they present significant risks of long-range transport, environmental persistence, and bioaccumulation within food chains.
(Please refer to the diagram below for a conceptual illustration of these exposure pathways.)

PFAS Exposure Pathways: Man-made chemicals produced in plants, sold to factories for [Product Processing] (semiconductors, etching, coatings, inks, insulation, etc.) and [End Product Use] (medical implants, cables, LCDs, non-stick cookware, food packaging, textiles, etc.). Surface coatings on daily goods are a primary source. [Product Waste] leads to release into air, soil, and water, traveling via groundwater and accumulating in human bodies and fetuses.
PFAS Exposure Pathways
Regulatory Evolution of PFAS Across Global Jurisdictions

Although the foundational chemistry of PFAS dates back to 1938, their prolonged biological half-life and persistence within the human body were only extensively documented in the latter half of the 20th century. Over subsequent decades, an expanding body of scientific evidence revealed their environmental bioaccumulation and associated ecotoxicological impacts. Following landmark environmental litigation in the United States in 1999, which exposed widespread PFOA contamination, regulatory bodies and the international community shifted toward active intervention.

Consequently, global legislation has accelerated significantly over the past two decades. While these substances have been integrated into industrial supply chains and consumer products for over half a century, robust regulatory frameworks restricting their manufacture, use, and import have only emerged recently.

To assist in navigating this complex and evolving legal landscape, the timeline and table below present a comprehensive compilation of major international PFAS regulations maintained by SGS.

PFAS Regulations Map: Regulations across Canada, USA, UK, EU, China, Japan, and Vietnam regarding PFAS in finished products.
Regulations on "PFAS in Finished Products" Worldwide

How

A Strategic Three-Step Approach to Managing PFAS Risks in Your Products

To effectively mitigate PFAS compliance risks while optimizing resources, SGS recommends implementing the following structured framework:

  1. Identify Compliance Mandates: Establish a clear understanding of your compliance drivers. Determine whether your investigative requirements are dictated by specific buyer specifications, corporate restricted substances lists (RSL), or mandatory import regulations in your target markets (e.g., EU REACH, US State-level laws).
  2. Execute Material Risk Assessment: Categorize product bills of materials (BOM) based on their susceptibility to PFAS intentional addition or contamination. Assessing material-specific risks (e.g., identifying fluoropolymers in wiring versus coatings in packaging) allows for targeted resource allocation.
  3. Implement Targeted Verification Testing: Employ a cost-effective compliance strategy by prioritizing high-risk components for laboratory verification. SGS provides comprehensive testing services tailored to your risk profile, ensuring robust compliance verification aligned with your operational and budgetary requirements.
SGS - Three-step PFAS Risk Assessment: 1. Clarify purpose (regulations vs buyer spec). 2. Categorize materials. 3. Evaluate management (concentration limits vs total ban).
Three Steps for PFAS Risk Content
SGS Global PFAS Compliance Solutions

As regulatory frameworks undergo rapid evolution worldwide, SGS leverages its extensive global laboratory network and technical expertise to deliver comprehensive compliance solutions aligning with global regulatory updates. We provide localized testing, auditing, and advisory services tailored to meet the stringent PFAS restrictions enacted across major economies and key jurisdictions, including:

  • North America: United States (US EPA TSCA & state-level mandates such as Minnesota, Maine, and Washington) and Canada (CEPA regulations).
  • Europe: The European Union (EU REACH, POPs Recast, and the universal PFAS restriction proposal) and the United Kingdom (UK REACH).
  • Asia-Pacific: Mainland China, Japan (CSCL regulations), and Vietnam.

Our robust testing capabilities ensure your products comply with varying regional detection limits, helping you mitigate supply chain risks and secure market access with confidence.

SGS PFAS Global Solutions – Testing schemes for Canada, USA, UK, EU, China, Japan, and Vietnam to solve your compliance dilemmas.
SGS PFAS Solutions
Streamlined Compliance: The SGS PFAS 3-in-1 Integrated Report

To simplify complex supply chain verification, SGS has pioneered a structured PFAS 3-in-1 Service. This comprehensive methodology consolidates three progressive testing dimensions into a single, actionable report, optimizing both data clarity and cost-efficiency.

SGS PFAS Cocktail Measurement Method: When you're unsure how to proceed, SGS experts evaluate your products and needs to provide customized testing combinations.
SGS PFAS Cocktail Measurement Method

Interested in learning more?

Whether you're interested in regulatory updates, testing methods, market requirements, or sustainability topics, we'd love to hear from you.
Your question may even inspire our next article, FAQ, or webinar topic.

Tell us what you'd like to learn

Further Reading

  1. REACH 附錄 17 entry68 即將更新

  2. 全氟羧酸(PFCA)與其鹽類與相關化合物

  3. 2022 年歐洲重點稽查法規 POPs

  4. 加拿大頒布 2022 禁止特定有毒物質條例草案

  5. 2024 年 EU POPs 法規動態：新增管制、預計修訂及現行規範調整(PFAS、Dechlorane plus、UV-328…)
Taipei
Kaohsiung
e電園
SGS RSTS Cloud

Terms of Service

Privacy

Cookies Policy

Sitemap

Site Search

SGS TW 安心資訊平台 SGS管理學院

© 2019~2026 SGS TAIWAN All Rights Reserved | Designed by SGS Taiwan WebTeam