THE LOOMING SUPPLY CHAIN CRISIS: IS YOUR PRODUCT CONTAMINATED WITH PFAS?

A silent regulatory storm is brewing, and it has the potential to ground your products to a halt. We're talking about PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), a group of thousands of man-made chemicals known as "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in the environment.

Driven by growing health concerns, global regulations are tightening at an unprecedented rate. The demand for PFAS testing has nearly doubled in the past year alone. If your products contain textiles, cosmetics, food packaging, or even certain electronics, you are likely in the crosshairs.

Why the Sudden Urgency?

Major markets like the EU and the USA are moving to restrict PFAS broadly, not just in a few specific applications. Non-compliance isn't just a fine; it's a one-way ticket to rejected shipments, forced recalls, and irreversible brand damage.

The Hidden Challenge: Supply Chain Contamination

The biggest risk isn't always intentional use. PFAS can contaminate your products unintentionally through:

Raw materials from unvetted suppliers.

Manufacturing processes (e.g., non-stick equipment, water-repellent sprays).

Packaging materials that contain recycled content.

A 3-Step Action Plan for Compliance

Conduct a Product Risk Assessment: Identify all materials and components in your product that are high-risk for PFAS. This requires deep knowledge of global regulatory lists and substance applications.

Test Early, Test Often: Don't wait for the pre-shipment inspection. Implement a raw material testing protocol and conduct in-process checks at your supplier's facility. Surprises at the last minute are costly.

Demand Full Supply Chain Transparency: Your suppliers must provide full Material Declarations and evidence of compliance from their own sub-suppliers. The burden of proof is on you.

How Hawood Manages Chemical Compliance

Navigating the complex web of global chemical regulations is our expertise. Our quality control process now integrates PFAS screening as a standard service for at-risk categories. We help you:

Identify regulatory exposure specific to your product and target markets.

Source certified, compliant materials from our vetted network.

Conduct accredited laboratory testing to verify compliance before production runs and before shipment.