ZDHC Position in Progress on PFAS

PFAS are now one of the defining chemical challenges facing our industry. Their persistence in the environment is fundamentally at odds with the safer, more circular textile, apparel, footwear, and leather value chains that ZDHC and its community are working to build.

ZDHC’s position remains clear: PFAS have no place in standard manufacturing. Our immediate focus is to eliminate intentionally used PFAS in manufacturing inputs, while addressing the more complex challenges of detection, trace presence, and practical implementation in a credible, science-based way.

At the same time, the industry is undergoing a period of transition. New testing methodologies and evolving regulatory definitions are increasing the detectability of PFAS in finished articles. In some cases, this leads to findings in products manufactured with formulations that were previously considered compliant. It is important to recognise that this reflects both changes in detection capability and the broadening scope of PFAS definitions, rather than a single root cause.

Through the ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) and the Roadmap to Zero Programme, we are working with formulators, suppliers, brands, and solution providers to ensure that PFAS risks are transparently identified, verified through appropriate testing, and managed out of the value chain.

Our focus is on practical implementation. This includes:

• Providing clearer guidance on applicable PFAS definitions
• Strengthening alignment on testing and screening methodologies
• Clarifying how evidence should be interpreted before action is taken

We recognise that PFAS management is complex, shaped by evolving regulation, testing limitations, and supply chain realities. For this reason, ZDHC is actively engaging stakeholders across the industry to support a more consistent and science-based approach to managing PFAS in manufacturing inputs.

This work is intended to support better decision-making across the value chain. It aims to provide clearer direction on PFAS-related risks in chemical formulations, how information should be communicated, and how expectations can be applied in practice.

ZDHC will continue this engagement as we develop the next stage of guidance, including MRSL-related updates and a more comprehensive PFAS communication planned for publication in October 2026. In the interim, we remain focused on supporting our community as it navigates this transition responsibly.

Better chemistry starts upstream — and on PFAS, ZDHC is fully engaged.