What Is PFAS?
PFAS analysis is the detection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances used as water and oil repellent finishes in textile products. The sample is extracted with the appropriate solvent and target compounds are measured by LC-MS/MS. Combustion ion chromatography can also be used for total fluoride screening.
Purpose of PFAS
The aim is to determine whether substances classified as persistent organic pollutants, such as PFOA, PFOS and their derivatives, are present in the product and to demonstrate regulatory compliance.
Which Products Is PFAS Applied To?
- Fabrics with water and oil repellent finishes
- Outerwear and outdoor textiles
- Carpet and upholstery
- work clothes
- Packaging and food contact paper coatings
In Which Sectors Is PFAS Used?
Standards Related to PFAS
- CEN/TS 15968 (extractable PFOA and derivatives — LC-MS/MS)
- TS EN ISO 23702-1 (tekstilde florlu maddeler)
- TS EN ISO 25101 (su matrisinde PFOS/PFOA)
PFAS Conditions
- Extraction
- With methanol or suitable solvent, ultrasonically assisted
- Measurement
- LC-MS/MS; target compound list determined by specification
- Unit
- µg/kg veya mg/kg
Equipment for PFAS
- LC-MS/MS
- Ultrasonic extraction bath
- Solid-phase extraction system
- Combustion ion chromatography (for total fluoride screening)
Sample Requirements for PFAS
- Representative sample from the finished surface
- Numune florlu ambalaj malzemesiyle temas ettirilmemeli
- Approximately 1 g specimen
- Target compound list should be clarified before analysis
Duration of PFAS
Analysis takes several working days due to extraction, cleanup, and LC-MS/MS measurement. The duration increases as the target compound list expands.
PFAS Procedure
- 1The sample is weighed and extracted with a suitable solvent.
- 2The extract is cleaned and concentrated.
- 3Isotope labeled internal standards are added.
- 4Target compounds are measured by LC-MS/MS.
- 5If necessary, total organic fluoride screening is performed.
- 6Results are reported on a compound-by-compound basis.
PFAS Acceptance Criteria
Acceptance criteria are the limits in POPs Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 and REACH Annex XVII. This field is changing rapidly: the restricted compound list and thresholds are being updated, and extensive PFAS restriction studies are ongoing. The current limit to be applied to your product is confirmed from the legislation text at the proposal stage.
Evaluation of Results
A PFAS compound that is not on the target list will not appear in the targeted analysis. Screening for total organic fluoride may indicate the presence of a fluorinated substance not on the target list, but does not tell which compound; The two approaches complement each other.
PFAS Report
- Sample description and finishing information
- Applied method and target compound list
- Result and detection limit for each compound
- Varsa toplam organik flor sonucu
- Comparing legislation limit and source
Accreditation
EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.
Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Scope and authorisationsRelated Regulations
- Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation (EU) 2019/1021
- (EC) 1907/2006 REACH Annex XVII
Tekstil Testleri — What Does This Testing Field Cover?
The section below describes the field that the PFAS test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.
Textile testing answers two questions separately: does the fabric hold up physically over its service life, and does it carry any substance restricted for human health? These two axes require different laboratory infrastructure and different decision mechanisms.
On the physical side, breaking and tear strength, abrasion resistance, pilling, dimensional change, colour fastness and water and oil repellency are measured. Most of these tests depend on the USE SCENARIO: Martindale abrasion cycles are decisive for an upholstery fabric, while dimensional change in washing and colour fastness come to the fore for a shirting fabric. The same fabric goes through a different test set for a different use.
Colour fastness is a body of work of its own in this field and is not a single test. The fastness of the same fabric to light, washing, rubbing, perspiration, saliva, chlorinated water and ironing is measured separately; each represents a different moment of use. Results are rated from 1 to 5 on the grey scale and the specification gives a separate minimum rating for each agent.
On the chemical side, aromatic amines released from azo dyes, formaldehyde, heavy metals, phthalates, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, alkylphenols and PFAS compounds are screened. These items come from REACH restrictions, brand restricted substance lists (RSL) and voluntary schemes such as OEKO-TEX. Brand lists are often stricter than legislation; the target customer is decisive.
There is NO CE marking on consumer textiles. The obligation has three legs: fibre composition and care labelling, compliance with chemical restrictions, and general product safety. Textiles claiming a protective function (workwear, flame-resistant clothing, high-visibility clothing) fall under personal protective equipment legislation, where CE is mandatory — this distinction is commercially critical.
Verifying the label declaration is the most routine work in the field. Quantitative fibre analysis confirms the blend ratio stated on the label; tolerance ranges are defined in legislation. An incorrect fibre declaration both misleads the consumer and affects customs classification.
Sustainability claims have added a new body of work to the field in recent years: verification of recycled content (GRS, RCS), organic content (GOTS), restriction of harmful chemicals and water/energy footprint declarations. These claims now require auditable evidence.
Method groups in this field
Strength and durability
Strip and grab breaking strength, tearing by the Elmendorf and tongue methods, seam strength, bursting strength.
Abrasion and surface
Martindale and rotary platform abrasion, pilling and fuzzing, fabric mass and thread density measurements.
Dimensional stability
Dimensional change in washing and drying, wrinkling behaviour, appearance after ironing.
Colour fastness
Fastness to light (xenon), washing, rubbing, perspiration, saliva, water and chlorinated water; rating on the grey scale.
Functional properties
Water repellency (spray test), oil repellency, waterproofness, air permeability, effectiveness of antibacterial finishes, UV protection factor.
Chemical analyses
Aromatic amines from azo dyes, formaldehyde, pH, heavy metals, phthalates, chlorinated phenols, PFAS and alkylphenols.
Commonly confused in this field
- A brand restricted substance list (RSL) may be stricter than legislation; REACH compliance does not mean compliance with the customer specification.
- Textiles claiming a protective function fall under PPE legislation and require CE; an ordinary textile test report does not satisfy that file.
- Colour fastness is not a single number; a rating cannot be interpreted without stating which agent it relates to.
- A result obtained for a fabric does not cover the whole garment made from it; lining, sewing thread, print and trims are assessed separately.
- Performance claims after washing are valid together with the stated number of wash cycles; the word "permanent" on its own is not verifiable.
Which decisions these results support
- Compliance with the brand restricted substance list (RSL)
- Verification of label declarations: fibre composition and care instructions
- Determining the performance class of upholstery and technical textiles
- Pre-import shipment inspection and lot acceptance
- Supporting sustainability and recycled content claims
Related Tests
Frequently Asked Questions About PFAS
We use a PFAS-free finish, is testing still required?
Most buyers require the declaration with documentation. Additionally, cross-contamination may occur if a fluoride finish has been used previously on the production line; The declaration and the measurement result do not always coincide.
Does total fluoride measurement replace PFAS analysis?
It doesn't pass. Total organic fluorine indicates the presence of a fluorinated substance, but does not tell which compound it is and whether it falls within the regulatory limit. Regulatory compliance is demonstrated by targeted LC-MS/MS.