Total Fluorine Testing for FCM: Faster Clarity on PFAS Requirements

The precise method for early assessment is now available through KÖR LABS

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Why PFAS Testing Is Shifting‍

Under the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), companies placing packaging on the EU market must demonstrate that no per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are present in concentrations, stated in EU Regulation 2025/40.‍

The current testing landscape creates challenges:

• Full PFAS panels are costly and slow
• Screening thousands of PFAS substances individually is unrealistic
• Laboratory methods vary widely
• Supply chains need a consistent way to address PFAS expectations

Regulators recognise these issues. Total Fluorine (TF) is therefore expected to become the primary screening method under upcoming PPWR guidance, giving companies a practical and scalable starting point for PFAS assessment.

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Why Total Fluorine Testing Matters‍

Total Fluorine measures the total fluorine content in a packaging sample using Combustion Ion Chromatography (CIC). It does not identify specific compounds but shows whether fluorinated chemistry is present.
Because PFAS always contain fluorine:

• No fluorine detected: PFAS are not present
• Fluorine detected: Additional tests determine whether it originates from PFAS or other sources such as mineral fluorides or additives

Total Fluorine testing provides a fast, reliable way to understand whether further PFAS-specific testing is required.

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How The Three-Step Workfl ow Works‍

The emerging PFAS testing sequence:

1. Step 1: TF (Total Fluorine)
2. Step 2: TOF (Total Organic Fluorine)
3. Step 3: Targeted PFAS analysis

Thresholds:

• TF < 50 ppm: Packaging may proceed under Article 5.5 considerations
• TF > 50 ppm: TOF clarifies whether detected fluorine is organic (PFAS-related)
• If organic fluorine is present, targeted analysis identifies specific PFAS compounds

This approach limits unnecessary testing while maintaining clarity.

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Why Companies Use KÖR LABS‍

PFAS testing is fragmented across laboratories, formats, and reporting styles. KÖR LABS brings clarity and consistency by consolidating the full workflow in one digital environment.
Three key advantages:

1. Central Testing Hub
   All PFAS-related orders, results, and documentation managed in one secure place.
2. Smart Procurement
   Access to a vetted laboratory network with proven TF, TOF, and targeted PFAS capability. KÖR LABS is an early mover in providing TF testing at scale.
3. Audit-Ready Reporting
   Laboratory results are harmonised into clear, consistent records with complete traceability

KÖR LABS transforms PFAS testing from a fragmented process into a predictable, accessible workflow for global FCM supply chains.

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Get in Touch‍

For guidance on integrating Total Fluorine testing into your PFAS strategy, contact us here or request a KÖR LABS demo.

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