PFAS Exit Accelerates As Textile Industry Shifts Away From Forever Chemicals

The textile industry’s transition away from PFAS commonly known as forever chemicals, appears to be accelerating faster than many expected.

A new report released by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), titled No PFAS, No Problem: Product Testing Reveals Success of California and New York PFAS Textile Laws, offers one of the clearest indications yet that large sections of the textile and apparel sector have successfully moved away from PFAS-based chemistries while maintaining product performance.

The findings arrive at a critical moment for the global textile value chain as regulatory scrutiny of PFAS intensifies across North America, Europe and several Asian markets. For manufacturers, brands and chemical suppliers, the report delivers an important message: PFAS-free performance textiles are no longer a future aspiration, they are increasingly becoming the market standard.

A Turning Point For Textile Chemistry
For decades, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been used in textiles to provide water repellency, stain resistance, oil resistance and durability. These chemicals became deeply embedded in outdoor apparel, rainwear, uniforms, footwear, upholstery, table linens and numerous technical textile applications.

However, growing evidence linking PFAS to environmental persistence, bioaccumulation and potential health risks has transformed the regulatory landscape. Often referred to as forever chemicals because they do not readily break down in the environment, PFAS have become one of the most closely watched chemical groups in global manufacturing.

The turning point came in January 2025 when California and New York implemented landmark restrictions on intentionally added PFAS in textile products. California additionally established a threshold limit of 100 parts per million (ppm) of total organic fluorine, a proxy for PFAS content, which will be reduced to 50 ppm in 2027.

The NRDC study provides the first comprehensive assessment of how the market has responded to these regulations.

The Results: Industry-Wide Progress

Researchers purchased and tested 115 textile products across California and New York spanning 14 categories, including Rainwear, Swimwear, Athletic apparel, Children’s uniforms, Footwear, Bags and backpacks, Reusable diapers, Pet products, Tablecloths and Outdoor furnishings

The results reveal a dramatic decline in PFAS levels across most categories.

According to the report 79% of products tested below California’s current 100 ppm threshold. 70% tested below 10 ppm and 60% tested below 5 ppm.

Perhaps most significantly, categories historically associated with high PFAS use including rain jackets, performance apparel, footwear and outdoor products, showed some of the strongest reductions.

Outdoor Performance Without PFAS
One of the most notable findings concerns outdoor apparel.

Only a few years ago, PFAS concentrations in rainwear routinely measured in the hundreds or even thousands of parts per million. Earlier studies had detected PFAS levels ranging from 760 ppm to as high as 83,000 ppm in outdoor garments from leading brands.

The latest testing tells a very different story.

Rain jackets from major outdoor brands now recorded PFAS concentrations as low as 1.6 to 27 ppm. In many cases, this represents reductions of between 97% and 99.99% compared with previous measurements.

For an industry that long argued PFAS were essential for waterproof-breathable performance, these findings challenge conventional assumptions.

The successful commercialization of PFAS-free membranes, durable water repellent (DWR) finishes and alternative performance chemistries demonstrates that technical functionality can increasingly be achieved without fluorinated compounds.

Supply Chains Responding to Regulation
The report highlights how regulation is influencing supply-chain behavior far beyond the jurisdictions where laws apply.

Interestingly, products purchased in California and New York displayed remarkably similar PFAS levels despite differences in legislative scope. This suggests manufacturers and brands are increasingly adopting broader product reformulations rather than creating separate inventories for different states. For global textile supply chains, this development is significant.

Maintaining region-specific chemical formulations is costly and operationally complex. As a result, many brands appear to be moving toward universal PFAS-free product platforms that can be sold across multiple markets while simplifying compliance management.

The trend mirrors previous industry transitions involving restricted dyes, formaldehyde, heavy metals and other chemicals of concern.

Not Every Category Has Made the Transition

Despite encouraging progress, the report identifies several product categories where PFAS use remains widespread.

Every tablecloth tested exceeded California’s current 100 ppm threshold.

Pet accessories also emerged as a major concern, with six of eight products testing above 100 ppm.

Reusable diapers presented a mixed picture, with five of nine products exceeding 100 ppm. Additional testing suggested PFAS were primarily present in waterproof outer layers rather than absorbent inner layers, indicating intentional use of water-repellent treatments.

These findings suggest that while the apparel sector has made substantial progress, certain home textile and specialty product categories continue to lag behind.

The Transparency Challenge
The report also highlights an ongoing challenge facing the textile industry: transparency. Consumers increasingly seek PFAS-free products, yet identifying them remains difficult. Terms such as waterproof, water resistant and stain resistant have traditionally served as indicators of possible PFAS use. However, the study found many products carrying these performance claims now contain little or no detectable PFAS.

This reflects the success of alternative technologies but simultaneously creates confusion for buyers attempting to make informed purchasing decisions.

Third-party certifications such as OEKO-TEX, Bluesign and GOTS are playing an increasingly important role in helping brands communicate chemical compliance. Nevertheless, the report suggests stronger disclosure practices and greater supply-chain transparency will be essential as regulations continue to evolve.

Implications for Textile Manufacturers
For textile mills, garment manufacturers and chemical suppliers, the findings carry several important implications.

First, the technical feasibility question appears largely settled. Across multiple product categories, manufacturers have demonstrated that PFAS-free alternatives can deliver commercially viable performance.

Second, compliance is rapidly becoming a competitive requirement rather than a sustainability differentiator. As more jurisdictions adopt PFAS restrictions, suppliers unable to provide compliant products risk losing access to major markets.

Third, chemical management is becoming a strategic sourcing issue. Brands increasingly require suppliers to verify chemical inputs, document compliance and provide detailed traceability throughout the production process.

This will likely accelerate investments in  PFAS-free durable water repellents, alternative membrane technologies, advanced finishing chemistry, supply-chain traceability systems
and chemical testing and verification programs

Looking Ahead
The NRDC report paints a largely optimistic picture of the industry’s progress.

The transition away from PFAS was once viewed as technically difficult and commercially risky, particularly for high-performance applications. Yet the latest evidence suggests many leading brands have already completed significant portions of the transition while maintaining product functionality.

Challenges remain, particularly in home textiles, pet products and certain specialty categories. However, the broader direction is unmistakable.

As regulatory pressure increases and safer alternatives continue to mature, PFAS-free textiles are moving from niche innovation to mainstream industry practice.

For the textile sector, the question is no longer whether PFAS-free manufacturing is possible. The more relevant question is how quickly the remaining segments of the industry can catch up.