PFAS Regulations Continue to Escalate, Bringing New Challenges to the Consumer Goods Industry
In recent years, PFAS has become one of the most talked-about topics in the field of global chemical regulation. Due to their excellent water-, oil-, and stain-repellent properties, PFAS are widely used in consumer goods such as textiles, footwear, leather, outdoor products, and packaging materials. However, these substances are also known as “forever chemicals” because of their extreme environmental persistence and bioaccumulative potential. The United States, the European Union, and several member states are continuously strengthening PFAS regulations.
In response to ever-tightening regulatory requirements, brands, retailers, and supply chain companies are actively seeking more efficient and comprehensive solutions for PFAS risk screening.
Why is Total Fluorine Becoming an Important Tool for PFAS Control?
The PFAS family now includes thousands of substances, making it difficult to cover all potential risks through targeted substance testing alone. Therefore, in recent years, regulatory authorities and international standardization bodies in Europe and the US have placed increasing emphasis on Total Fluorine (TF) testing.
By measuring the total amount of fluorine released from all fluorinated compounds in a sample, Total Fluorine testing serves as an important screening tool for PFAS. Current TF testing primarily uses combustion combined with ion chromatography analysis. Depending on the combustion method, it can be divided into oxygen bomb combustion-ion chromatography (e.g., EN 14582) and automatic combustion-ion chromatography (e.g., ASTM D7359, EN 17813, etc.).
ISO 20999:2026 Release Provides Unified Technical Basis for Total Fluorine Testing in Footwear, Apparel, and Consumer Goods
In April 2026, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) officially released ISO 20999:2026, titled “Textiles — Determination of total halogens in textile products — Combustion and ion chromatography (C-IC) method”. This standard further advances the standardization and harmonization of Total Fluorine (TF) testing methods for footwear, apparel, and textile products.
Compared to previously widely used methods such as EN 14582, ASTM D7359, and EN 17813, ISO 20999:2026 established, for the first time, an internationally unified method for determining total halogens specifically for textile products. This provides a more targeted technical basis for the footwear, apparel, textile, and related consumer goods industries. For these industries, the release of this standard is not just the arrival of a new test method — it reflects a global shift in PFAS regulation, moving from “target substance control” toward “overall fluorinated substance risk management.”
PFI Fareast Offers Comprehensive Total Fluorine (TF) Testing Solutions
The evolution of PFAS regulation is gradually moving from restrictions on individual substances to the management of entire fluorinated chemical systems. PFI Fareast continuously monitors global PFAS regulatory and standard developments. We offer Total Fluorine testing services in accordance with international standards including ISO 20999:2026, ASTM D7359-23, EN 17813:2023, and EN 14582:2016. Combined with targeted PFAS analysis, Total Organic Fluorine (TOF) assessment, and regulatory consulting, we provide customers with comprehensive PFAS risk management solutions.
For more information on the specific testing requirements of ISO 20999:2026, or to assess whether your products face PFAS compliance risks, please contact the PFI Fareast technical team.
