SGS expands PFAS testing support for automotive companies

SGS is offering new testing, verification and supply-chain services to help automotive manufacturers and suppliers move away from PFAS as global restrictions tighten. The package includes a voluntary green mark for products with no PFAS detected, aimed at supporting compliance and market access.

Why it matters: - Automotive companies are facing rising pressure to reduce PFAS use as regulators and customers scrutinize the chemicals more closely. - PFAS are widely used in vehicle parts and electric-vehicle systems, so the shift away from them affects seals, tires, lubricants, refrigerants, batteries, fuel cells and technical textiles. - SGS’s services are meant to help manufacturers keep products on the market while they adjust materials, sourcing and compliance processes.

What happened: - SGS said it is supporting automotive businesses with expanded PFAS testing, verification and sustainability-focused services. - The package includes the voluntary No PFAS Detected green mark for companies that want independent verification of no-PFAS claims. - Joe Chen, Global Head of Hardlines and Automotive at SGS, said the automotive sector needs reliable, science-based solutions to move away from PFAS.

The details: - SGS says its analytical methods can detect more than 600 individual PFAS. - The company’s services also include chemical management support and supply-chain audits. - SGS says the verification mark is designed to provide evidence that products meet defined “no PFAS detected” criteria aligned with international regulatory expectations. - The PFAS offering sits under SGS’s IMPACT NOW for sustainability initiative. - That initiative groups SGS sustainability services into four pillars: climate, nature, ESG assurance and circularity.

Between the lines: - The move reflects a broader industry problem: PFAS have been embedded in automotive manufacturing because of performance benefits, but replacement materials are not always easy to qualify. - SGS is positioning itself as a compliance and risk-management partner as rules tighten and supply chains need proof, not just reformulation. - The green mark could matter most for suppliers trying to substantiate marketing claims without creating regulatory exposure.

What’s next: - Automotive suppliers and OEMs are likely to lean more on third-party testing and verification as PFAS restrictions expand globally. - SGS expects continued demand for its PFAS-related services as manufacturers seek to preserve access to regulated markets and reassure buyers.