What Are PFAS? Key Material-Selection Considerations Under Regulatory Trends

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a class of chemicals known for their exceptional heat and chemical resistance, and they have long been widely used in industrial applications and high-performance materials. However, because PFAS are difficult to break down and may accumulate in the environment and the human body, regulatory oversight has tightened significantly in recent years in the United States, the European Union, Japan, and other regions. As a result, many procurement professionals are increasingly concerned about whether current materials will meet future compliance requirements.

Amid the PFAS controversy, the safety of PTFE products has become a focal point of discussion. In fact, PTFE that has undergone complete polymerization and complies with standards such as FDA, RoHS, and REACH is still generally regarded as a stable and safe engineering material for most applications.

Based on the latest regulations:

• Regulatory targets and scope: The proposal by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) aims to restrict more than 10,000 PFAS substances—covering nearly the entire PFAS family—primarily because they are often referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence and resistance to environmental degradation.
• Expected timeline and progress: The assessment of these restrictions is ongoing, and the scientific evaluation is expected to be completed in 2026.
• Industry impacts:
• Food-contact materials: Denmark took the lead in 2020 by banning PFAS in paper and cardboard used for food packaging.
• Packaging and consumer goods: The latest Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation will take effect on August 12, 2026, restricting the use of PFAS in packaging.
• New restrictions and exemptions: The 2025 proposal update added multiple exemptions and additional control measures targeting specific industries.