In an initiative to provide a structured approach for assessing the presence of PFAS in consumer products, ASTM International is set to release a new standard, F3700, which will serve as a critical guide for laboratories, manufacturers, regulatory bodies, and consumers. Developed by the ASTM Consumer Products Committee (F15), this new standard will outline best practices and methodologies for testing and analyzing PFAS in various consumer articles, ranging from cosmetics to automobiles.
A Roadmap for PFAS Assessment
The F3700 standard will offer a roadmap to ensure the optimal testing of PFAS across a broad spectrum of materials. According to Rock Vitale, ASTM member and F15.81 Subcommittee co-chair, “The new standard will be of critical importance to manufacturers, consumers, laboratories, and regulatory bodies,” according to Rock Vitale, ASTM member and F15.81 Subcommittee co-chair. Vitale emphasizes that the need for comprehensive PFAS testing is increasing rapidly across industries as regulators propose limits on organic fluorine and PFAS in consumer products.
The pace of focus on PFAS in consumer products is accelerating, with a clear need for standardized guidance to address this growing concern. “This standard will inform various organizations on how best to test a wide variety of materials ranging from cosmetics to automobiles,” according to subcommittee co-chair, Jeff Stull.
This new standard will also empower manufacturers, scientists, and testing laboratories by providing them with standardized testing approaches and methodologies. It will help ensure that PFAS assessments are consistent, accurate, and scientifically sound across all consumer product categories.
Addressing Regulatory Pressures
As Rock Vitale points out, many regulators are proposing stricter limits on the presence of PFAS in consumer products, driven by mounting evidence of their environmental and health risks. These proposed regulations underscore the urgent need for a standardized approach to testing. The F3700 standard will help stakeholders navigate these regulatory pressures by providing clear, actionable guidelines on how to assess the presence or absence of PFAS in consumer articles and products.
For laboratories, this new standard represents a valuable tool for staying ahead of regulatory changes while ensuring they provide accurate, reliable results for clients across various industries.
How Laboratories and Manufacturers Can Benefit
Laboratories can benefit significantly from this new standard by aligning their testing methods with the guidance provided in F3700. This ensures consistency in PFAS testing results and contributes to maintaining the credibility and reliability of laboratory services. Manufacturers can also leverage the standard to assess their products in compliance with emerging regulations, helping them mitigate potential risks associated with PFAS contamination and ensuring their products are safe for consumers.
With growing demand for effective PFAS testing and increasing regulatory scrutiny, the release of F3700 will prove to be a critical tool for laboratories, manufacturers, and regulators in tackling the complexities surrounding these persistent chemicals.
Join the Effort to Shape PFAS Testing Standards
ASTM International encourages professionals with a strong background in chemistry, particularly those involved in product development, testing, or regulatory affairs, to join the ongoing work in the subcommittee and contribute to the future development of PFAS-related standards. As Vitale suggests, this is an excellent opportunity for industry professionals to get involved in shaping the future of PFAS testing and contribute to industry-wide solutions.
Merit Laboratories is a leading national PFAS environmental laboratory, analyzing drinking water, soil, wastewater, groundwater, and other sample matrices, including biosolids and sludge. Analytical methods performed by Merit for PFAS include drinking water by EPA 533, EPA 537.1, and EPA 537 rev. 1.1, soil and biosolids by ASTM D7968-17 with Isotopic Dilution, and wastewater, groundwater, and surface water by ASTM D8421 and ASTM D7979-19 with Isotopic Dilution and development of the new EPA 1633A method.