Geneva (March 27, 2025) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published a Consumer Compact article detailing the textile industry’s attempts to phase out per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and the production and regulatory challenges this presents for businesses.
The risks from PFAS, the so-called ‘forever chemicals’ which have been commonly used in textiles due to their weather-resistance properties, are becoming increasingly well-known. Their bioaccumulative characteristics and toxicity have led to stricter regulations, leading companies to look for safer, more sustainable alternatives.
In this article, SGS analyzes the most significant regulatory moves towards a PFAS phaseout for the textile industry, focusing in particular on legislation in the U.S. This includes California’s Assembly Bill No. 1817, New York’s ban on intentionally added PFAS in new apparel and Colorado’s gradual implementation of a PFAS-free outdoor clothing rule. The influence these measures will have on the global regulatory landscape is also considered.
Businesses seeking to eliminate PFAS face challenges of compliance, performance, transparency and consumer trust, and these issues are examined in the article, along with approaches to PFAS-free textile production. Recognized as an industry-leading authority on sustainability in textiles, bluesign®, an SGS company, has responded to the evolving PFAS restrictions, and the article sets out the timeline for change to ensure testing, inspection and verification services meet regulatory benchmarks.
Read the original Consumer Compact article, ‘Phasing Out PFAS in the Textile Industry?’
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SGS is the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We operate a network of over 2,700 laboratories and business facilities across 119 countries, supported by a team of 99,250 dedicated professionals. With over 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, safety and compliance.
Our brand promise, when you need to be sure, underscores our commitment to reliability, integrity and trust — enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and trusted specialized brands, including Brightsight, bluesign, Maine Pointe and Nutrasource.
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