PFAS rules spark ISO testing standard and risk European drinking water

In April 2026 the International Organization for Standardization released ISO 20999:2026, a unified method for determining total fluorine in footwear, apparel and other textile products. The standard replaces earlier methods such as EN 14582, ASTM D7359 and EN 17813, providing a consistent technical basis for total‑fluorine (TF) screening, which is increasingly used as a proxy for PFAS contamination. Hong‑Kong‑based PFI Fareast offers TF testing services that comply with the new ISO, combining combustion‑ion chromatography with targeted PFAS analysis to help brands meet tightening global PFAS regulations.

A study commissioned by Germany’s DVGW and conducted by the Technology Centre Water (TZW) examined the economic impact of proposed stricter EU drinking‑water limits for PFAS. The current sum limit of 0.1 µg/L for 20 PFAs is already exceeded in 1.7 % of samples; an additional limit of 0.02 µg/L for four PFAS, scheduled for January 2028, is already exceeded in about 4 % of samples. Further reductions could affect up to 95 % of Germany’s water resources, driving up treatment costs, requiring widespread adoption of energy‑intensive reverse‑osmosis, and threatening supply security. The authors warn that the core issue lies in preventing PFAS emissions at source rather than continuously lowering water‑quality thresholds.