Fast track: impact of forthcoming regulation of PFASs, or "forever chemicals", on performance apparel brands

Fast track: impact of forthcoming regulation of PFASs, or forever chemicals, on performance apparel brands"

PFASs (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also known as "forever chemicals", are a family of more than 10,000 synthetic fluorinated compounds which are prized for their unique characteristics. In textiles and clothing they are prevalent in the manufacture of durable water repellent (DWR) finishes, treatments and membranes. But PFASs are increasingly under scrutiny for the damaging impact they have on the environment and human health. In particular, they have been found to persist in the environment and they have been shown to be highly mobile, bioaccumulative and toxic. Indeed, epidemiological studies observing the effects of exposure to PFASs have found probable links between some PFASs and a number of serious illnesses. As scientific evidence demonstrating the adverse effects of PFASs on the environment and human health increases, lawmakers worldwide are strengthening existing regulations or proposing new regulations in order to eliminate PFASs. However, there are significant disparities in the strength of regulations from region to region, from country to country and, in some cases, from state to state--and this is the subject of much concern. For performance apparel brands, a major challenge lies in understanding the impact of forthcoming regulations--especially in those cases where regulations differ from one geographical market to another. A larger challenge, however, lies in the need to develop alternative substances which offer the same levels of performance as PFASs but, at the same time, comply with current and forthcoming regulations.