Dr Ines Anderie
Head of Chemical Analytics Department / PFI Germany
1. According to the EU's PFAS restriction regulations, can PFAS in safety shoes be exempted?
We currently have many regulations concerning PFAS, most of which are related to PPE. However, some substances are excluded, they are allowed for use in firefighting boots. There may also be exemptions for PPE when the overall prohibition of PFAS comes into effect.
2. Do non-waterproof shoes need to be tested for PFAS?
The regulation does not specify particular materials; it simply states that PFAS are prohibited. However, there are certain materials for which their use is still permitted.
Despite the general prohibition, laboratories often conduct tests to determine which materials may be relevant for evaluation. However, nowadays, it’s unclear where PFAS might be present, as we have also found them in polyester and recycled polyester materials.
As a result, organizations such as CADS have recommended testing hydrophobic materials and membranes for PFAS. That said, manufacturers should also consider cross-checking other materials, to ensure they are PFAS-free.
3. PFAS testing requirements vary greatly across brands and institutions, leaving clients confused. What are your thoughts and suggestions?
We advise to analyze the PFAS target substances from CADS RSL. PFAS substance list from CADS RSL was proven to be the most relevant PFAS used in materials for clothes and shoes.
If PFAS are intentionally added (e.g., in sprays), they’re usually known and avoidable. But when used during material production—especially in textile fibers—their presence is often unknown, even to suppliers.
Given the uncertainty, it’s best to test materials from suppliers. If you receive different colors or batches, cross-checking for PFAS is recommended. This can be done gradually, rather than testing thousands of substances at once, which is costly and impractical.
4. How to choose the testing method for PFAS? Can the old method EN 17681:2022 still be used?
The new method differs significantly from the old one, being more stringent and capable of breaking down internal PFAS in materials, typically yielding higher detection values.
EN 17681-1:2025 was officially released on April 30, 2025. It replaces the old EN 17681-1:2022, while EN 17681-2:2022 has been withdrawn. EN 17681-1:2025 will fully supersede EN 17681-1:2022 by October 31, 2025, making it the recommended standard for future PFAS testing. From a risk management perspective, we strongly advise adopting the new method.
