How to phase out PFAS: 4 strategies for a sustainable textile industry

The long-term effects of PFAS have not yet been fully researched. But one thing is clear: precautionary measures are necessary. There is great uncertainty on the market - the industry faces the challenge of finding safe alternatives. This is where the Bluesign ACADEMY provides support with advice and strategies for a successful PFAS phase-out.

A crucial step is understanding your own supply chain. In order to create transparency at the end, you have to start at the beginning. If you know exactly where your materials come from and which chemicals are used, you can save on testing costs and develop a targeted testing strategy. This requires both a thorough examination of the supply chain and regular testing.

Phasing out PFAS is feasible - but it requires a clear plan, transparency in the supply chain and cooperation at all levels.

But knowledge alone is not enough. Communication, cooperation and transparency are essential. Bluesign ACADEMY has been using input stream management for almost 25 years. The goal: to prevent PFAS from entering the supply chain in the first place. Based on this principle, the Bluesign ACADEMY has developed concrete measures:

• Use of the Bluesign databases
• Communication with the supply chain
• Collecting information from chemical suppliers
• PFAS-free sites