SATRA launches new PFAS service

Our new internal testing procedure is streamlining the evaluation process, allowing us to offer faster lead times and in-depth interpretation of results.

SATRA has developed a procedure to detect certain restricted per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in leather. PFAS have been a very high-profile and controversial topic in chemical compliance over the last few years and continue to be closely monitored, with growing restrictions upon their use.

The SATRA testing procedure is based upon EN ISO 23702-1:2023 and includes the six C9 to C14 perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) listed within REACH Annex XVII, as well as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), which are restricted under the Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Regulation.

Meeting the legislation

Testing for these substances may also be relevant for companies supplying into the USA, as the three PFAS listed in California Proposition 65 are included in the assessment. Currently, SATRA’s procedure only assesses the specific chemicals named in the legislation, and does not include any related substances, salts or derivatives which are included within the restriction scope. However, we are undertaking further development to allow us to include these in the near future.

SATRA has provided a PFAS compliance service for several years, which was conducted via an external laboratory. We will continue to maintain our long-established collaboration with the third-party laboratory and will continue to offer testing for the related substances, salts and derivatives through this laboratory. Nevertheless, our new internal testing procedure is streamlining the testing process, allowing us to offer faster lead times and in-depth interpretation of results for focused testing of those PFAS substances named in the legislation.

Further projects are currently in progress to expand the scope of PFAS testing that SATRA will undertake internally. This will analyse for a more extensive range of substances, including C9 to C14 PFCA-related substances and PFHxA, enabling assessment to the full PFAS requirements contained within REACH Annex XVII. We are also developing our internal procedure for the detection of PFAS in textiles and polymers, based upon EN 17681-1:2025 and EN 17681-2:2022, which is very close to completion.

Publishing Data

This article was originally published on page 39 of the November 2025 issue of SATRA Bulletin.

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