“PFAS-free” claims under scrutiny at SLTC
At the Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists (SLTC) conference, Professor Will Wise of Eurofins Sustainability Services urged the leather industry to avoid using the term “PFAS-free”, warning that it does not reflect the reality of widespread environmental contamination.
He explained that PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals”, are now present globally, including in remote environments. As a result, trace background levels can be found almost everywhere, making absolute absence effectively impossible to guarantee.
He told delegates that while regulations are increasingly targeting intentionally added PFAS, low-level presence can still occur through environmental exposure or raw material inputs. This creates a risk for companies making absolute claims, particularly as scrutiny of green marketing intensifies.
Professor Wise said the industry should instead focus on robust management and verification, supported by appropriate testing strategies. He noted that approaches based on organic fluorine can offer a practical way to monitor PFAS presence, while more targeted analysis may be required to demonstrate compliance with specific regulations.
He also warned that relying on safety data sheets alone is insufficient, as they may not fully disclose PFAS content in chemical formulations. Independent testing and supply chain control are therefore becoming increasingly important.
The presentation made clear that, rather than aiming for complete elimination, the industry must work to prevent further emissions while managing existing background levels, as PFAS will persist in the environment for the foreseeable future.
