PFAS
At The North Face we are committed to ensuring that every one of our products, from jackets to trail shoes, is produced in a responsible manner. Over the past ten years we have been on a journey to innovate and transition the technology we use to provide the levels of protection and performance that our customers expect from our products. One key aspect of this is the use of specific chemicals, known as PFAS, and application of these in our products to provide durable water repellency. The purpose of this quick guide is to provide further background, explain the regulatory changes that are affecting the outdoor industry and the use of these chemicals, and the actions we are taking as a brand.
Background:
Benefits
and Uses
Benefits
and Uses
What are the PFAS?
PFAS is a collective name for thousands of man-made chemical substances, also called forever chemicals.
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAs) are a group of nearly 15,000 chemicals known as “Forever Chemicals” because they do not degrade in nature. Made from Carbon, Fluorine, and other materials, these chemicals provide high protection against oils, dirt, and water, and have traditionally been used in our water-repellant coatings and waterproof membranes.
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAs) are a group of nearly 15,000 chemicals known as “Forever Chemicals” because they do not degrade in nature. Made from Carbon, Fluorine, and other materials, these chemicals provide high protection against oils, dirt, and water, and have traditionally been used in our water-repellant coatings and waterproof membranes.
Some of these chemicals when applied as a coating to objects provide high protection against oils, dirt, water, and have non-stick properties among other properties. Traditionally they have been used in water-repellant coatings such as DWR in the outdoor apparel industry, also in waterproof membranes and in sealing for waterproof zippers.
Benefits of using PFAs in outdoor apparel and equipment?
It is crucial to convey to our customers the importance of caring for their waterproof products to extend their lifespan, especially as we phase out PFAs.
This not only aligns with our commitment to sustainability but also ensures our customers continue to receive the high performance they expect from TNF products.
This not only aligns with our commitment to sustainability but also ensures our customers continue to receive the high performance they expect from TNF products.
Usage
in TNF and
VF Products
in TNF and
VF Products
Approximately ninety-five percent (95%) of all VF brand products do not contain any PFAS-based chemistry.
PFAS-based chemistries are currently used on only a very limited number of our products to meet customer expectations around performance in extreme conditions and/or workwear requirements.
All PFAS chemistries meet current regulatory requirements in each jurisdiction where they are offered for sales.
VF product stewardship has always been closely & pro-actively following up all chemical regulatory requirements, including PFAS, worldwide. These are updated annually into the global VF Restricted Substances List& the VF RSL implementation manuals.
Testing protocols for PFAS are defined/ refined and executed to guarantee our products keep meeting all actual legal restrictions as set in the different regions.
Material & Product vendors have been and are continuously trained on the VF RSL requirements that are subsequently implemented via various testing programs from developments throughout production, this across the entire supply chain.
As part of our commitment to responsibly-made products, we began proactively phasing out long-chain ‘C8’ PFCs in our technical apparel in our Spring 2015 line and transitioned all of our apparel products to short-chain ‘C6’ PFCs by the end of 2015. Since 2015 we’ve also been transitioning our DWR to non-fluorinated ‘C0’ alternatives.
PFAS-based chemistries are currently used on only a very limited number of our products to meet customer expectations around performance in extreme conditions and/or workwear requirements.
All PFAS chemistries meet current regulatory requirements in each jurisdiction where they are offered for sales.
VF product stewardship has always been closely & pro-actively following up all chemical regulatory requirements, including PFAS, worldwide. These are updated annually into the global VF Restricted Substances List& the VF RSL implementation manuals.
Testing protocols for PFAS are defined/ refined and executed to guarantee our products keep meeting all actual legal restrictions as set in the different regions.
Material & Product vendors have been and are continuously trained on the VF RSL requirements that are subsequently implemented via various testing programs from developments throughout production, this across the entire supply chain.
As part of our commitment to responsibly-made products, we began proactively phasing out long-chain ‘C8’ PFCs in our technical apparel in our Spring 2015 line and transitioned all of our apparel products to short-chain ‘C6’ PFCs by the end of 2015. Since 2015 we’ve also been transitioning our DWR to non-fluorinated ‘C0’ alternatives.
TNF Approach
The North Face respects and supports legislation prohibiting the use of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in apparel, footwear, accessories, and equipment.
We have a goal to eliminate PFAS chemicals from all products by 2025. We are continuing to work alongside our fabric mills and chemical suppliers to ensure we can make the transition as quickly as possible without sacrificing the high performance our consumers expect.
In Fall 2019, we launched FUTURELIGHT™, a new, advanced breathable-waterproof material developed using nano-spinning technology that can be treated with Durable Water Repellent (DWR) made without perfluorinated compounds (also known as PFCs). We are proud that the majority of FUTURELIGHT™ apparel to-date has been produced with this non-PFC DWR.
The North Face continues to work alongside external partners to commercialize non-PFAS waterproof and water-resistant products that are fit for the harshest weather conditions.
We have a goal to eliminate PFAS chemicals from all products by 2025. We are continuing to work alongside our fabric mills and chemical suppliers to ensure we can make the transition as quickly as possible without sacrificing the high performance our consumers expect.
In Fall 2019, we launched FUTURELIGHT™, a new, advanced breathable-waterproof material developed using nano-spinning technology that can be treated with Durable Water Repellent (DWR) made without perfluorinated compounds (also known as PFCs). We are proud that the majority of FUTURELIGHT™ apparel to-date has been produced with this non-PFC DWR.
The North Face continues to work alongside external partners to commercialize non-PFAS waterproof and water-resistant products that are fit for the harshest weather conditions.
Impact
on TNF &
Communication
on TNF &
Communication
What This Means for TNF:
By the end of 2025 we will eliminate PFAS chemicals from our apparel, footwear, accessories, and equipment
Consequences of the PFAs phase-out?
Eliminating PFAs from the DWR means that the oil repellence properties will decrease (Not only for us but for everyone else in the industry also). All out WPSs in the range are tested to our internal standards, both in lab and in the field, and we can ensure that the waterproof performance of our products won`t be affected by this phase out.
It is important that we transmit the message that all waterproof products should be well cared of, not only because of the PFAs phase-out but to increase the life of the garment.
It is important that we transmit the message that all waterproof products should be well cared of, not only because of the PFAs phase-out but to increase the life of the garment.
Communication with Customers:
It is crucial to convey to our customers the importance of caring for their waterproof products to extend their lifespan, especially as we phase out PFAs.
This not only aligns with our commitment to sustainability but also ensures our customers continue to receive the high performance they expect from TNF products.
This not only aligns with our commitment to sustainability but also ensures our customers continue to receive the high performance they expect from TNF products.