MUNICH – At ISPO here in Munich, talk of Bluesign technologies and the ZDHC aligning to no longer certify coatings, formulations and water and oil repellent textiles that use fluorine-based PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ from 2024, led to industry insiders saying this was a “bold move” and a major step forward for the industry.
“By implementing the PFAS phase-out strategy bluesign is banning all PFAS-based formulations – of all chain lengths – that are used as DWR (durable water repellents) from bluesign approved materials in apparel by end of 2024,” noted Dr Daniel Waterkamp, product stewardship, Bluesign technologies. “This is a very big step forward in the quest to eliminate PFAS from the textile supply chain.”
These industry-led moves come as California opts to ban PFAS (per & poly fluorinated alkylated substances) use from early 2025 – with some derogations; while the UN ramps up support from PFAS exit programs in certain manufacturing countries and while the EU prepares an extension of the REACH regulation on PFAS that currently restricts ‘C8’.
But does this ‘bold move’ mean the end of PFAS use in textile repellent coatings within 18 months? Well, it’s not that simple.
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