PFAS Testing

PFAS testing is a critical requirement for a broad scope of industries, regulators, and communities seeking to understand and control the presence of these “forever chemicals” in products and the environment. While a range of PFAS analytical methods can be applied, selection must be tailored to the matrix under scrutiny. Given that each analytical approach offers distinct advantages and limitations, it is important to partner with an experienced PFAS testing lab when testing is required.

What are PFAS, why are they called “forever chemicals,” and what makes them such a serious environmental and human health concern?

PFAS is short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These are a large group of thousands of substances that include perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). PFAS are characterized by containing at least one fully fluorinated methyl (CF3-) or methylene (-CF2-) carbon atom. This carbon-fluorine bond is extremely strong and stable, making it highly resistant to degradation or breakdown in the environment. This resistance is why PFAS are known as “forever chemicals.” 
Because of this persistence, PFAS are found worldwide in air, surface water, groundwater, soil, wildlife, and humans, and they tend to bioaccumulate along the food chain. Human exposure primarily occurs through contaminated drinking water, food, indoor air, and consumer products. Once in the body, certain PFAS have been associated with increased risks of cancer, reproductive toxicity, developmental issues, and a reduced immune response, including lowered vaccine effectiveness.

Where are PFAS used and why? 

PFAS can be gases, liquids, or solid high-molecular weight polymers and have been applied across many diverse sectors due to their distinctive and varied chemical properties, which are difficult to replicate with other substances. Their chemical structure provides excellent stability at high temperatures, water repellence, and also resistance to oils, stains, and corrosive chemicals. According to ECHA’s recent use-mapping exercise (December 2025), PFAS appear in consumer products such as cleaners, cosmetics, and polishes, as well as in textiles for water and stain repellency. They are found in food contact materials, non-stick coatings, lubricants and seals used in food production and also packaging for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. They have also found application in electrical equipment insulation, construction products transportation, energy technologies (including batteries and clean energy technologies), firefighting foams and fluorinated gas uses for refrigeration. 

What is the current status of regulatory guidance and legislation? 

Globally, PFAS are being addressed through international frameworks such as the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, which seeks to eliminate or restrict the most hazardous substances. In the European Union, PFAS are increasingly being added to the Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) list under REACH, and the EU has shifted from regulating individual PFAS to regulating entire groups based on shared structural features.

A major restriction proposal submitted in 2023 by several Member States includes tiered limits of 25 ppb for any individual PFAS, 250 ppb for the sum of PFAS, and 50 ppm for total PFAS, including polymeric forms. The revised background to this proposal was published in August 2025, with a final ECHA evaluation expected by the end of 2026, potentially introducing proposed bans, exemptions, and transition periods.

The European Commission asked EFSA to provide a scientific evaluation on the risks to human health related to PFAS in food where contamination sources could potentially include PFAS in soil and water used to grow plants, from food packaging, and equipment used to process food. In 2020, EFSA adopted a Tolerable Weekly Intake of 4.4ng/kg body weight per week. EFSA continues to review health-based reference values for trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) which is a breakdown product of PFAS. 

In parallel, the United States Enviromental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to advance its PFAS Strategic Roadmap, which focuses on research, restriction, and remediation, showing that regulatory pressure is intensifying worldwide.  

Intertek's PFAS testing labs

Our scientists apply a range of PFAS analysis methods to identity and determine levels of PFAS in samples. These approaches fall into two categories: targeted and non-targeted. 

Targeted PFAS chemical testing:

Targeted PFAS analysis offers superior sensitivity and chemical specificity, enabling the precise quantification of the analytes at trace levels. However, this approach is inherently constrained by its scope, as it fails to account for unidentified and polymeric fluorinated compounds. To partially mitigate this limitation, the Total Oxidizable Precursor (TOP) assay is frequently integrated into analytical workflows. By utilizing an oxidation process, the TOP assay converts polyfluorinated precursors into measurable perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs), thereby providing a more representative estimate of the total PFAS environmental load in a sample.

• ISO 21675: - Water quality: Determination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water using solid phase extraction and LC MS/MS
• DIN 38414-14 - Determination of selected polyfluorinated compounds (PFC) in sludge, compost and soil
• DIN 38407-42 - Determination of selected polyfluorinated compounds (PFC) in water
• EN 17681-1 - Textiles and textile products - Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) analysis of an alkaline extract
• DIN 3608 - Determination of perfluoroalkanoic acids by LC-MS/MS after oxidative digestion (TOP-Assay)
• Long chain PFAS chemical testing (C9-C21 LC-PFCAs)  
• Custom semi-quantitative LC-MS/MS methods for selections of PFAS in multiple substances. Can be adapted to meet specific needs and sample types (examples include: hydrogen sector, electronics, personal care, polymers, foams).

Non-targeted PFAS Analysis:

A comprehensive assessment of PFAS content necessitates the use of total (organic) fluorine analysis alongside (non-)targeted analysis. This addresses the inherent limitations of (non-)targeted analyses, which fail to detect polymeric PFAS species. Consequently, total fluorine quantification is a prerequisite for capturing the full scope of fluorinated precursors and polymers present in the sample.

• Non-targeted PFAS screening using LC-QTOF
• ASTM D7359 - Total Fluorine by Oxidative Pyrohydrolytic Combustion followed by Ion Chromatography Detection (Combustion Ion Chromatography-CIC)
• UOP 991 - Trace Fluoride by Combustion Ion Chromatography (CIC)
  
  

Why work with Intertek PFAS Testing Labs?

Trusted PFAS laboratory testing: Tap into global laboratory testing expertise and industry-leading capabilities including regulatory expertise (regulatory strategy, toxicological & safety assessments and global regulatory notifications).
Broad scope expertise: Proficient in industry standards including ISO 21675, DIN 38414-14, DIN 38407-42, EN 17681-1, ASTM D7359 / UOP 991 and more.
Decades of experience: 40+ years of expertise in advanced analytical science support supporting R&D, production and circularity including tailored advisory and testing to accelerate market entry and sustainability.
Partner with Intertek - Future-proof your operations: Leverage our technical knowledge and flexible lab testing resources to support your business growth as regulatory requirements and technology evolves. 
End-to-end lifecycle scope: Support for R&D, formulation, processing, QA, recycling, and circularity

Intertek’s PFAS testing laboratories combine advanced PFAS analytical methods, global regulatory expertise to deliver clear, defensible insights into PFAS presence across water, soil, polymers, cosmetics, electronics, and industrial materials. By integrating targeted and non-targeted PFAS detection methods, our PFAS labs support compliance with evolving global regulations while enabling innovation, sustainability, and circularity across the product lifecycle. For organizations seeking a trusted PFAS testing lab or PFAS laboratory analysis partner, Intertek provides the scientific depth, scale, and flexibility required to manage risk and move forward with confidence.

Contact Intertek today to discuss your PFAS testing needs and discover how our labs can support your compliance, product development, and long-term environmental goals.