Develop a strategy to phase PFAS out of products and supply chains.

The PFAS regulatory landscape is constantly changing and hard to follow. NGO campaigns that target PFAS, such as Mind the Store and DeTox my Fashion, are not going away. To abide by the law and protect your brand, the best solution is to phase PFAS out of your products and supply chains, starting now.

This is my fifth post on PFAS. My first two posts are here and here. They provide an overview of PFAS, what products they may be added to, why they are hazardous and exposure routes. The third post focusses on PFAS regulations, and the fourth is a deep dive on California AB 1817, a bill that bans PFAS on textile articles.

Here are some actions that may help you phase PFAS out of your products, and I suggest starting now. 2025 is just around the corner.

Educate your product designers

Never handcuff designers and take away their creativity, and banning something can do just that. Instead, develop educational material that explains the concerns with PFAS. Once your design team understand, I am sure they will comply, especially if you can offer alternatives.

Ask yourself if the performance benefit is needed. Keen Footwear successfully eliminated most of the PFAS used on its product assortment by eliminating it in sandals that are designed to be in water. DWR is simply not needed for these types of products.

Identify products with performance benefits that use PFAS

Your product assortment may contain products with PFAS, or products that offer benefits, typically achieved with PFAS. This includes waterproof, water resistant, durable water repellency, or stain resistance.

Even if your company has phased PFAS out of products, it still may be used during manufacturing. Pay extra attention to these types of products and communicate clearly that alternatives must be used. If possible, provide resources to your suppliers that allow them to choose from a list of alternatives.

Know your supply chain and communicate your PFAS policy to your suppliers

Have a clearly stated, written policy that explains your PFAS intent and share it with suppliers. Map your supply chain and identify any subcontractors because they must be in your scope too.

Build ongoing relationships with your suppliers that are mutually beneficial and provide guidance, support, and resources about PFAS and PFAS-free alternatives.

Adopt existing tools that have phased PFAS out, and join an industry multi stakeholder group

One of the easiest actions is to adopt tools that have already phased PFAS out, such as the ZDHC MRSL version 3, which is used in the apparel and footwear industry.

If eco-certifications are part of your strategy, ensure that you only use ones that do not allow PFAS. Examples in the apparel industry include GOTS, and the OekoTex suite of standards.

Join a stakeholder group such as ZDHC, the AFIRM Group or the Outdoor industry Association, and you will be part of a community that is working towards the phase out of PFAS. Lots of resources will be available to support you on your quest.

Implement a testing program to ensure PFAS is phased out

This is important for product categories that have banned PFAS such as some food packaging in some states, as well as product categories that will ban PFAS in the next couple of years such as textiles in California.

Update your testing program to include extra due diligence for PFAS testing. The data and test results over time can inform how you continue to manage testing.

To complement the testing program, make sure you provide a corrective action process for suppliers that fail PFAS requirements.

Do you need help with your PFAS elimination strategy, chemical management or sustainability?

For help with sustainability, circularity and chemicals, contact Amanda Cattermole at (415) 412 8406 or Amanda@cattermoleconsulting.com. We can help you develop powerful solutions to protect your company and brand reputation.

Tips and Insights contains information to help you make informed sustainability decisions. Each post highlights a particular topic that you may want to consider for your business.