Demand for PFAS testing at TÜV Rheinland has increased globally by more than 30 percent. Chemical restrictions require a great deal of development and testing effort from manufacturers and distributors. TÜV Rheinland offers companies precise product analysis and support in implementing legal requirements.

TÜV Rheinland is expanding its testing capacity worldwide to meet the growing global demand for testing services for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The testing services provider has seen demand increase by more than 30 percent year-on-year. PFAS, a group of more than 10,000 known substances, are used in many industries for their functional properties, including textiles, food packaging, furniture and carpet fabrics, as well as mechanical and automotive engineering. However, their potential risk to the environment and human health is increasingly the focus of regulatory and public attention.

The chemical ban on PFAS in many countries in the world poses new challenges for manufacturers and retailers and requires a lot of development and testing. Companies that manufacture, trade, or import products will need to monitor and reduce PFAS. TÜV Rheinland is helping companies prepare for changes in legislation by providing accurate chemical analysis. “This enables companies to adapt to changes in the legal situation at an early stage, establish responsible action as a quality feature, and thus remain competitive,” explains Steffen Tümptner, an expert at TÜV Rheinland.

PFAS in industry – further restrictions on the horizon 

In the EU, several classes of PFAS are already subject to restrictions, for example under the REACH and POP regulations. In September 2024, EU Regulation 2024/2462 was adopted, which will phase in bans on PFHxA (C6 PFAS) in certain applications over a five-year period. This includes a ban on PFAS in clothing, footwear, paper, and board in contact with food and cosmetics from October 2026. From October 2027, the ban will be extended to other textiles and leather products. European authorities are currently considering further restrictions that could cover more and more PFAS in the long term. The US authorities are also taking far-reaching action to restrict PFAS at the national level. In April 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued nationwide limits for six groups of substances in tap water, making them among the strictest in the world.

Accurate analysis and expert advice from TÜV Rheinland

TÜV Rheinland’s testing packages, training, and on-site audits provide the tools needed to analyse products, find suitable alternatives, and ensure more sustainable production.

TÜV Rheinland has been involved in chemical testing and certification for several decades and now employs more than 500 specialists worldwide to minimize technical and quality risks. TÜV Rheinland’s experts conduct more than a hundred thousand chemical tests around the world every year, enabling access to international markets through testing and certification. The experts develop new testing procedures, work on research and development projects, and collaborate with standardization committees.

With the constant flow of new scientific discoveries, the demand for chemical testing has also increased in recent years. As a leading provider of testing services for chemicals, TÜV Rheinland operates laboratories in Bangladesh, China, Germany, India, Turkey, the United States, and Vietnam, among other countries. 

TÜV Rheinland stands for safety and quality in virtually all areas of business and life. The company has been operating for more than 150 years and ranks among the world’s leading testing service providers. It has more than 22,000 employees in over 50 countries and generates annual revenues of more than 2.4 billion euros.

TÜV Rheinland’s highly qualified experts test technical systems and products around the world, support innovations in technology and business, train people in numerous professions, and certify management systems according to international standards. In doing so, the independent experts generate trust in products as well as processes across global value-adding chains and the flow of commodities.

Since 2006, TÜV Rheinland has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact to promote sustainability and combat corruption. www.tuv.com