With the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) PFAS restrictions for food contact packaging applying from 12 August 2026, companies across the packaging and food contact materials value chain face growing pressure to assess risks, document decisions, and prepare for compliance.
However, comprehensive PFAS testing remains highly impractical. There are over 10,000 PFAS compounds, yet standard laboratory targeted analysis methods typically test only 50–60 substances. Full targeted panels are expensive, time-consuming, and still evolving across laboratories and matrices.
That’s why companies need a more structured and practical approach — one that enables confident early decision-making without over-interpreting limited screening results.
Total Fluorine (TF), typically measured by Combustion Ion Chromatography (CIC), provides a practical first screening step for identifying potentially fluorinated materials. TF is valuable because it can quickly indicate whether fluorine
is present in a sample.
However, it is important to interpret this result correctly:
A practical PFAS strategy should combine screening with risk-based follow-up, rather than relying on a single result in isolation.
Step 1 – Total fluorine (TF) analysis
If TF is below 50 ppm, the packaging is legally considered compliant – no further resting is needed.
Step 2 - (In)organic fluorine analysis
If TF exceeds 50 ppm, the manufacturer must legally provide proof of differentiating whether the fluorine comes from PFAS or an inorganic source. Methods such as py-GC-MS have been suggested.
Step 3 – Targeted analysis
Substance level analysis of PFAS with e.g. LC-MS/MS of solvent extraction of packaging material to show compliance with 25 ppb (individual PFAS) / 250 ppb (sum of all PFAS) limits.
All samples that pass Step 1 are considered compliant with Steps 2 and 3.
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
KÖR LABS transforms PFAS testing from a fragmented process into a predictable, accessible workflow for global FCM supply chains.
For guidance on integrating Total Fluorine testing into your PFAS strategy, contact us here or request a KÖR LABS demo.
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