PFAS in Outdoor Gear

AFIRM provides technical resources for managing chemicals in apparel, footwear, accessories, sporting goods, and product packaging. The 2023 AFIRM Restricted Substance List covers the entire class of PFAS and includes appropriate limits and test methods to ensure compliance with all existing and forthcoming global legislation. View AFIRM's PFAS Phaseout Guidance document here, which covers how to identify and phase out PFAS in products, including validation of compliance with various testing approaches.

Bluesign partners with chemical companies, manufacturers of materials, and brands to build a better supply network from the molecule forward. They have vetted dozens of companies making PFAS-free DWR products, ensuring effective chemistry in addition to evaluating if they are free from harmful substances — not just PFAS, but also a long list of other substances. See the resulting free list at finder.bluesign.com. Bluesign's system approach also includes working with material manufacturers to use better processes and chemistry to arrive at bluesign APPROVED materials which should be free of all unwanted substances, not just PFAS. 

CORP works to shape policy, support investments, and engage an inclusive community of outdoor participants in California around the benefits of outdoor recreation. Recently, CORP worked with CA Assemblymember Ting's Office, bill sponsor organizations, and outdoor gear brands to ensure effective legislation on PFAS in outdoor gear. For more information, contact CORP's director, Lexie Gritlefeld.

OEKO-TEX® has been setting high standards for textiles and leather for 30 years. Their standards stay ahead of global regulations and incorporate new scientific health data and production methods. The 2023 updates include a general ban on the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in textiles, leather, and footwear for STANDARD 100, LEATHER STANDARD, and ECO PASSPORT certifications, which are upheld through annual testing, control testing, and on-site audits. 

ZDHC's Implementation HUB supports organizations by offering the solutions, training, and experts needed to put good chemical management in motion. ZDHC recognizes the risks posed by PFAS to human health and the environment and has added a restriction on all PFAS used for water and stain repellency treatments in its recent update to the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL). For a broad guide on chemicals in fashion, read their free e-book for all audiences, "Detoxing the Fashion Industry."

ZDHC is offering a free introductory course to all November 2022 workshop participants. Contact Lydia for more details.

ChemFORWARD's SAFER program helps suppliers demonstrate human and environmental safety and build trust with their customers based on a rigorous, third-party process. Confidential business information is protected while providing greater transparency and making it easier for everyone to use assessment information throughout the supply chain. They use a new model of data-sharing that is cost-effective for individual suppliers while advancing collective impact through a shared repository of chemical hazard data and safer alternatives. Learn more here.

Restricted chemicals include PFAS and all of ZDHC's manufacturing restricted substances list. Certified products can be found here, and the full standard can be found here.

SciveraLENS® utilizes over 4,500 chemical hazard assessments completed by a team of experienced toxicologists, and helps organizations choose safer chemicals to create safer products. With SciveraLENS®, users access valuable chemical assessment information to help them make informed product development decisions, support their chemical and product certification needs, and build supply chain transparency by communicating chemical assessment information while protecting the proprietary ingredient information. Learn more here.

ToxServices provides a streamlined assessment that screens textile treatment formulations (including textile auxiliaries, colorants, leather treatment chemicals, adhesives, and coatings) in textile, apparel, and footware production. The screening process includes confidential full formulation disclosure to ToxServices, chemical testing for adhearance to ZDHC's MRSL, and screening of ingredients through priority lists and other assessments to arrive at a Screened Chemistry score which determines whether the formulation is acceptable. Learn more here.