Enormous group of PFAS chemicals to be banned in 2026
Great need for analytical monitoring
PFAS industrial chemicals - both a blessing and a curse
The abbreviation PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. This term refers to a large group of chemicals manufactured industrially and used in numerous industrial processes and consumer products due to their technical characteristics. What they all have in common is that the compounds are difficult to break down and accumulate in the environment, in the food chain and therefore also in the human body. Their robustness is therefore both a blessing and a curse.
This is how PFAS chemicals enter the environment and organisms
PFASs can be absorbed into the body either directly or indirectly. One source is contaminated drinking water and polluted air, e.g. while using impregnation sprays containing PFASs indoors. Indirectly, these harmful fluorine compounds enter our organism via foods such as meat and milk, if the related animals have ingested the substances through their feed.
Harmful substances
In the past, PFOS (perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) were the most frequently detected substances from the PFAS group. Due to their harmful effects on the immune system, the subgroups PFOS and PFOA were banned in the EU in 2006 and July 2020 respectively. However, scientific evidence suggests that the entire PFAS group could be hazardous and, e.g. increase the risk of cancer. Several technical authorities have therefore applied for a general ban on PFASs.
Forever chemicals in hundreds of everyday products
PFASs are water, dirt and grease-repellent and can withstand high temperatures, strong UV radiation and high pressure. Due to these characteristics, they are also termed "forever chemicals". PFASs can be found in hundreds of everyday products such as cosmetics, cookware (e.g. Teflon pans), packaging and textiles such as outdoor clothing. Extinguishing agents, pesticides and even medical products such as implants, catheters and tubes also contain compounds from the PFAS group.
Ban on PFASs looms in 2026
Together with other authorities from Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Norway, the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) in Germany is working on an EU-wide and almost complete ban on PFASs - a group of around 10,000 different compounds. A decision at European level is expected in 2026. A ban would mean that many manufacturers would have to prove that their products no longer contain any compounds from the PFAS group. This statement applies to all uses of these substances not considered essential for society as a whole.
Quality Analysis assists with analysis and verification for "PFAS-free" components and substances
After the expected ban, there will be a great need for analytical monitoring. Quality Analysis, as an independent and accredited test laboratory, can assist you during the verification of the presence (or absence) of PFAS in your samples and during the manufacture of certified, PFAS-free components.
For this purpose we use combustion ion chromatography (CIC). This method is ideal for direct measurement of the total fluorine (TF) or the total organic fluorine (TOF) in solid and liquid samples. In water samples, we analyse the adsorbable organically bound fluorine (AOF). It is also possible to determine the extractable organic fluorine (EOF) in solid and liquid samples.
We therefore do not specifically analyse individual PFASs such as PFOS and PFOA, which would only be of limited use with around 10,000 compounds in the PFAS group, instead we determine the total fluorine content (TF) and/or the sum of the organically bound fluorine (AOF, EOF, TOF). The results from the sum parameter provide you with more information and permit better categorisation of the risk.
