Got PFAS Compliance? Customers Are Asking

Have you noticed an increase in requests for PFAS compliance from your customers? We have. So what are PFAS, why do they matter, and how do you ensure that your projects are PFAS compliant if requested?

What Are PFAS?

Forever chemicals, scientifically known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS, pronounced pee-fas), are a group of man-made chemicals used in a variety of consumer products for their water- and grease-resistant properties. PFAS are often used in the coating of food labels, for example.

PFAS are called “forever” chemicals because they do not break down in the environment. Thus, they can accumulate in the food chain and in the human body over time. Studies have linked PFAS exposure to a variety of health issues, including cancer, immune system disorders, and developmental delays.

As awareness of the health impact of PFAS grew, the government began developing regulations for PFAS in the early 2000s. Initial regulations focused on monitoring PFAS levels in drinking water and establishing health advisory levels for certain PFAS compounds. Since then, the government has continued to refine and expand PFAS regulations, including setting stricter standards for PFAS in drinking water and requiring the cleanup of PFAS-contaminated sites.

What Is PFAS Compliance?

A product (or material) is considered PFAS-compliant if it meets certain regulations and guidelines, including:

• Testing and Monitoring: Regular testing and monitoring of PFAS levels in products, materials, and the environment to ensure compliance with regulatory limits.
• Product Labeling: Ensuring that products containing PFAS are properly labeled to inform consumers and regulators.
• Disposal: Proper disposal of PFAS-containing materials to prevent environmental contamination.
• Regulatory Reporting: Reporting of PFAS use, testing results, and compliance efforts to regulatory agencies.

We get requests from our distributors for PFAS compliance on a regular basis. Increased awareness, regulatory developments, higher levels of media coverage, and increased consumer concern are all contributing to an environment in which PFAS compliance is becoming increasingly important for business and corporate customers.

Are Your Products PFAS Compliant?

We are often asked if we are “PFAS compliant.” Print vendors like Wise are not “PFAS compliant” in themselves. Rather, we use PFAS-compliant materials, including paper, label substrates, and inks.

If a distributor wants to know whether a job is PFAS compliant, we will check PFAS compliance for each individual component. To ensure that any future project is PFAS compliant, the distributor should indicate this when the job is submitted and we will ensure that we use PFAS compliant materials for that job.

Are there alternatives to PFAS? Yes, absolutely. These materials may cost slightly more, and some may have not have the exact same performance properties (which may not matter for many projects), so it will be important to work with your sales or customer service contact to find the right alternative based on your customers’ specific needs.