BLC can Test Leather and Textile for PFOS to 1µg/m2
BLC are able to accurately test leather and textile to 1µg/m2 using Liquid Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS). This ability to measure in such fine quantities enables BLC to identify even the smallest quantity of PFOS in your products. Using these results, BLC can help your business to comply with chemical and product safety legislation.
What is PFOS?
Perfluorooctane Sulphonate (PFOS) is a fully fluorinated anion which is widely used for waterproofing and as an oil-resistance surface treatment for textiles, leather, and paper. PFOS may also be used as an intermediate to produce paints.
What are the Risks?
PFOS has been classified as persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic (PBT) and, as a result, has been restricted under Annex XVII of REACH. PFOS is a highly toxic substance that is very mobile in the environment and often referred to as a global pollutant.
If your products contain a greater amount of PFOS than is permitted, it poses a significant safety risk to consumers. Therefore, any products found to be in breach of Annex XVII of REACH, will be removed from sale and safely destroyed, resulting in loss of earnings for your business and ultimately, consumer trust.
The Legislation
- PFOS shall not be used as a substance or constituent of preparations in products with a concentration equal to or higher than 0.005% by mass
- Semi-finished products or articles, or parts shall not be places on the EU market if the concentration of PFOS is equal to or higher than 0.1% by mass
- For textiles, leather or other coated materials, the concentration shall not be higher than 1µg/m2
Test your products for PFOS today
At BLC, we offer a fast and efficient PFOS testing service. We test leather and textile products for PFOS to 1µg/m2.
For further information regarding PFOS testing, contact [email protected] or call + 44(0)1604 679999
6 June 2017