PFAS are measured in two different ways at OEKO-TEX®. First, our laboratories are testing for specific, legally restricted PFAS such as PFOA and PFOS. Second, a general test for all PFAS has been put into place at OEKO-TEX®, recently. All PFAS chemicals contain fluorine which can be detected via a lab test called “total fluorine (TF) test”. This is why we recently introduced a limit value for total fluorine as an indicator for the presence of PFAS. At OEKO-TEX®, our goal is to strictly prevent the intentional use of PFAS. The TF limit value is tested for all types of OEKO-TEX® certificates and is compliant with the latest international regulations. However, this TF test also measures fluorine present in non-PFAS sources such as fluorine-based dyes, which are not considered a threat to human health or the environment. The goal of this TF limit value is not to forbid the use of all fluorine sources in textiles, but rather to ban the intentional use of PFAS.

PFAS are persistent in the environment due to their low biodegradability and can remain intact for many years. This is why they are often referred to as “forever chemicals”. Moreover, they are easily distributed in water, so that today PFAS are found even in the most remote regions of our planet. This can lead to accumulation of PFAS in drinking water and ultimately along the food chain, which is where PFAS can directly affect human health. Nowadays, PFAS can unfortunately be detected in many foods, in wildlife and in the body of the vast majority of the population in developed countries. PFAS have been linked to severe adverse effect on fauna, flora and human health such as affecting hormonal systems, causing defects and cancer, amongst others. Many PFAS are therefore already regulated by many countries including the EU, the USA and Canada.

A general ban on the intentional use of PFAS in textiles, leather, apparel, and footwear has been implemented. Rigorous laboratory testing is conducted for the presence of PFAS in OEKO-TEX® certified products.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of synthetic organofluoride chemicals, including PFOA and PFOS. PFAS have been used for years in many different industries for their water-, oil- and dirt-repellent properties, for example in rain jackets, firefighter gear or sports-bras.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a specific PFAS compound used as an industrial surface-active agent processes, such as textile and leather dyeing, and as a raw material in different production processes. PFOS is a fluorosurfactant and was previously the key ingredient in various fabric protection products. PFOA have been restricted in the EU since 2020, PFOS since 2009, and cannot be used anymore.