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Xuntong specializes in testing services for electrical accessories, consumer electronics, lighting, wireless, toys and other products.
1. What is PFAS-PFAS testing for perfluoro/polyfluoroalkyl compounds
Because PFAS has an extremely stable chemical structure and unique chemical characteristics, as well as water and oil repellency, it is widely used in industrial and consumer products, and has thus become a long-lived substance (known as the eternal chemical substance “).
The full English name of PFAS is
per/polyfluoroalkyl substances, i.e. perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl compounds. PFAS is a general term for a series of synthetic organic fluorides. Due to its special physical and chemical properties, it is often used to make daily necessities with anti-fouling, waterproof, grease and other requirements. Since the 1940s, PFAS has been manufactured and used in multiple industries around the world. People can find PFAS in commonly used products such as non-stick cookware, soil removers and waterproofing agents, paints, cleaning products, food packaging, and fire-fighting foam.
In recent years, the negative health effects caused by the widespread existence of PFAS in the environment and related exposures include hazards such as lipid metabolism, thyroid hormone levels and damage to the rabbit epidemic system in animals. Therefore, more and more perfluorinated substances are included in the control of regulations. Law enforcement agencies have also increased the enforcement and supervision procedures for perfluorinated substances. It is recommended that companies investigate the compliance of perfluorinated substances in products in conjunction with the control requirements of regulations as soon as possible. Compliance to ensure that products placed on markets in various countries meet the control requirements of regulations.
2. Why should I do PFAS testing?
Globally regulated PFA
Since 2009, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and its derivatives (PFOS) have been included in the International Stockholm Convention to eliminate their use. According to the EU’s persistent organic pollutants (POPs) regulations, PFOS has been restricted for more than 10 years in the EU.
In addition, the Stockholm Convention regulates the global elimination of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), salts and PFOA-related compounds. Since July 4, 2020, PFOA has been banned under POPs regulations.
Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), its salts and related compounds, and perfluorocarboxylic acids (C9- 14 PFCA) are being considered for inclusion in the Stockholm Convention and subsequent global elimination.
According to EU chemical legislation, the manufacture and use of some PFAS substances have been restricted. Some EU member states have also proposed to further restrict the identification of perfluorocarboxylic acids. The Scientific Committee of the European Chemicals Agency agreed with the recommendations and expressed support for restrictions.
In addition, the European Chemicals Agency and the European Commission are conducting relevant research on PFAS substances used in fire-fighting foams and textiles.
In accordance with the EU’s REACH Regulation, several PFAS substances have been included in the Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) candidate list as the first step in controlling these chemical substances under the REACH Regulation’s authorization licensing process.
This will prompt many companies to find safer alternatives to substances on the SVHC candidate list. Several other PFAS substances are under further evaluation and possible testing.
The use of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and its derivatives (PFOS) and other substances classified as PFAS has been restricted in the European Union. Some EU member states and Navi have also proposed restrictions on several other PFAS substances.
The European Chemicals Agency’s Registered Chemicals Database contains more than 2000 PFAS substances sold on the EU market. Due to the large number of PFAS substances, since 2014, the European Chemicals Agency has directly evaluated their environmental health risks by group, rather than evaluating them on a single substance basis, to speed up its evaluation and substitution process. REACH Restrictions Following a decision by the European Commission based on proposals from German and Swedish authorities, perfluorocarboxylic acids (C9-14 PFCA), their salts and precursors will be restricted in the EU/European Economic Area starting from February 2023.
Norway has proposed to treat perfluorohexane- 1 sulfonic acid (PFHxS). Restrictions on its salts and related substances. The ECHA’s Scientific Committee issued an opinion in support of the restriction in June 2020, and the proposal is currently being decided with the European Commission and EU countries.
Germany has proposed further restrictions on undecafluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), its salts and related substances. This proposal was also supported by the ECHA Scientific Committee in December 2021. The European Commission and EU countries will decide on restrictions in due course.
The Netherlands and Germany, with the support of Norway, Denmark and Sweden, are preparing a restriction proposal to cover a wide range of PFAS uses in support of a December 2019 statement made before the Environment Committee. They are expected to submit their proposals to ECHA until July 15, 2022.
In addition, ECHA will submit a restriction proposal on PFAS used in fire-fighting foam in January 2022. This use is not included in the broad PFAS restrictions being prepared in five European countries.
Control of PFAS under REACHSVHC substances of great concern.
Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulations
According to CLP regulations, some PFAS have been systematically classified and labeled. These include:
Many other PFAS are on the REACH Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) Candidate List.
The testing surface of substances of concern to REACH SVHC includes the following substances controlled by PFAS: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) ; ammonium pentafluorooctanoic acid (APFO) ; perfluorononane-1-oleic acid (PFNA) and its sodium and ammonium salts; nonadecorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and its sodium and ammonium salts perfluoroalkanesulfonic acid (PFBS) and its salts.
In June 2019 and January 2020, two PFAS groups were identified as SVHC. SVHCs are identified based on their persistence, mobility and toxicity and are considered to pose a threat to human health and wildlife when exposed through the environment, including through drinking water. This SVHC identification identifies these PFAS as of equal concern to carcinogens, mutagens and reproductive poisons (CMRs) and persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic/very persistent and very bioaccumulative (PBTs/vPvBs) chemicals.
These groups are:
2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoro-2-(heptafluoropropoxy) propionic acid, its salts and its acid halide (HFPO-DA) is a short-chain PFAS alternative to PFOA in the production of fluoropolymers and is the initial list of substances added to candidate products. Its ammonium salt is often called GenX.
Perfluorobutane sulfonic acid (PFBS) and its salts, alternatives to perfluorooctane sulfonic acid.
Several PFAS have been included in the assessment list (Community Rolling Action Plan) or have been evaluated in the past few years. The assessment aims to clarify initial concerns about potential risks to human health or the environment that the manufacturing or use of these substances may pose
3. Test content:
PFAS Perfluoro/Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Test Method:CEN/TS 15968:2010
●PFOA+ PFOS content test: Test method:US EPA 3550C and CEN/TS 15968:2010/ GB31604.35
●PFOA+ PFOS dissolution test: Test in accordance with the Food Contact Materials Regulations (FCM) of the European Union (EU) and German Standards (LFGB), with simulated liquid and temperature conditions available. Test method: EN13130
● Have the technical ability to interpret PFAS global regulations and provide training regulations for various OEMs;
● Can provide customers with PFAS substance testing and risk substance assessment, evaluate the risk materials within the definition of complete product regulations, and provide a one-stop test plan;
● Other hazardous substance control solutions can be customized for customers;
Test criteria:
CEN/TS15968:2010
Applicable products:
Various packaging materials, antifouling and waterproof fabrics, non-stick products (such as non-stick pans with polytetrafluoroethylene coating), paper coatings, polishes, waxes, paints, cleaning products and foam fire extinguishers, carpets, cosmetics, leather, electronics and electrical appliances, food contact materials and articles, fire-fighting foam, upholstered furniture, waterproof clothing and equipment, etc.
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