PFAS Testing Enters a New Era with EN 17681-1:2025

In June 2025, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) officially released a new standard for testing PFAS in textiles called EN 17681-1:2025. This new standard makes testing more sensitive and strengthens rules about PFAS. It sets a new bar for the textile industry and marks another step forward in protecting our natural environment.

What is PFAS and How Does it Relate to Bags?

PFAS is often used to treat fabrics so they repel water and oil. This is because PFAS chemicals (like PFOA, PFOS, and FTOH) have a very special structure. Their molecules make it so water and oil cannot spread on their surface. This gives them excellent water and oil resistance.

When making waterproof and stain-resistant bags, bag factories often spray or soak this substance onto fabric surfaces. This improves the bag's ability to resist water and oil stains. Because this material is very stable and bonds strongly with fabric, it doesn't wash off or rub away easily. This is why it became a popular chemical additive in the bag industry.

Why is PFAS Harmful? Why Are We Slowly Banning It?

PFAS has very stable chemical properties. While this makes products last longer, it also hurts the environment. The stable structure makes it very hard to break down in nature. PFAS is even called "forever chemicals."

Research shows that PFAS pollutes the environment. It enters our bodies through the food chain and water cycle, building up inside us. This can cause liver damage, thyroid disease, obesity, weakened immune systems, and increase the risk of certain cancers.

Real Cases of PFAS Problems

In 2023, Sweden's highest court confirmed that Swedish military airports used firefighting foam containing PFAS. This polluted the local water supply in Kallinge, causing residents to have PFAS levels in their blood above normal amounts. The court ruled that the government must pay compensation to 165 residents.

In June 2023, facing group lawsuits from multiple U.S. states over PFAS, 3M company (the world's largest PFAS producer) agreed to pay up to $10.2 billion in settlement money. Three other companies - DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva Agriscience - also agreed to pay a combined $1.185 billion to solve PFAS pollution problems.

How the New Standard Affects the Industry

Old testing standards like ISO 23702-1 (2022), EPA 537, and EPA 533 used organic solvents like methanol to extract PFAS remaining on fabric surfaces. The new standard uses alkaline substances like NaOH that can break down polymer structures, making PFAS extraction much more complete.

Simply put, PFAS is now much easier to detect than before. So old testing methods may not meet customers' new RSL (Restricted Substances List) requirements. Even some eco-friendly fabrics may no longer comply with new regulations.

Synberry's Viewpoint

As a member of the textile industry, Synberry is actively following this new standard. We maintain communication with third-party laboratories to discuss how the new standard affects bag material choices. We have also actively explored PFAS-FREE materials in the past, searching for high-quality and environmentally friendly materials on the market. Our newly developed materials include bio-based PU and other eco-friendly materials.

For customers with specific RSL order requirements, Synberry can provide test reports for products based on the new testing standard.

Synberry firmly believes that no matter how testing standards change, transparency, environmental protection, compliance, and embracing customers are the direction for backpack industry development.

Synberry will continue sharing more industry updates and environmental standards to help customers create better products under new regulations. We also look forward to the bag industry moving toward a cleaner, more environmentally friendly future under the push of new standards, contributing to sustainable development.

By Cindy

Published on June 26, 2025

Sources:

European Committee for Standardization (CEN). EN 17681-1:2025 – Textiles and textile products – Determination of PFAS using alkaline extraction. https://www.cencenelec.eu

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). PFAS Explained. https://www.epa.gov/pfas

The Guardian. Sweden court rules in landmark PFAS contamination case. June 2023. https://www.theguardian.com