What PFAS are and why textiles are in scope
PFAS, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a large family of chemicals used for their resistance to water, oil and stains. In textiles they have been used in water-repellent and stain-resistant finishes, among other treatments. They are persistent, which is why regulators have focused on them and why several US states now restrict them in consumer products, including textile articles.
This note is general information to help you organize the questions. It is not legal advice. State rules differ and continue to change, so confirm current requirements for the states where you sell with a compliance adviser.
The California baseline
California AB 1817 restricts intentionally added PFAS in textile articles from 2025. For a brand or wholesaler selling into California, the practical question is whether any material in the garment has PFAS added on purpose, for example as part of a finish. Other states have adopted similar laws, with their own scope and timing, so check current state requirements for every market on your distribution list, including states where your wholesale customers sell.
Where PFAS questions arise in yoga apparel
Most yoga leggings and bras do not need water or stain repellency. Plain nylon and spandex or polyester and spandex knits are often finished without such treatments. That does not mean the question can be skipped. Finishes are applied at the mill, sometimes as a standard step, and the buyer may not know unless they ask.
| Material or component | Why it may be relevant | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Main knit fabric | Performance finishes are applied at the mill | Which finishes are applied, and are any PFAS-based? |
| Water- or stain-repellent styles | Repellent finishes are a common historical use of PFAS | Is the repellent chemistry PFAS-free, and is that documented? |
| Outer layers and woven pieces | Jackets, wind layers and woven shorts may carry repellent finishes | Same as above, per fabric |
| Trims and coated components | Coatings and some trims may involve fluorinated chemistry | Supplier declaration per trim |
| Prints and logo transfers | Print and transfer chemistry varies by supplier | Declaration from the print or transfer supplier |
Moisture-wicking is a separate property from water repellency. Wicking finishes and wicking knit structures move moisture rather than repel it, but they are still finishes, and it is reasonable to ask about their chemistry. The moisture-wicking claims note explains how wicking is specified and verified, for example to AATCC 195.
A practical supplier process
- Map materials. List every fabric, trim, print and coating in each style, the same way you would for a bill of materials.
- Ask about finishes. For each fabric, ask the mill to state the finishes applied and whether any contain intentionally added PFAS.
- Collect declarations. Ask each supplier for a written declaration covering intentionally added PFAS for the specific materials in your order.
- Decide on testing. With your adviser, decide whether and how to test, especially for repellent-finished fabrics or where declarations are incomplete.
- Lock the specification. Write "no intentionally added PFAS" into the fabric sheet and purchase order so a substitution later needs approval.
- Repeat on reorders. A new fabric lot or a new finish supplier reopens the question.
Declarations, documents and their limits
A supplier declaration is useful because it puts the supplier's knowledge on record and makes a substitution visible. Its limit is that it depends on the supplier knowing what is in the chemicals it buys. Mills with a structured chemical management system are generally better placed to answer. bluesign, for example, is a chemical management system for mills, and a mill working within such a system may be able to document its finishing chemistry more readily. That is a supporting factor, not a substitute for a declaration covering your specific materials.
Harmful-substance certifications such as OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 are a separate topic. Whether a certificate addresses your state's PFAS requirement is something to confirm with your adviser rather than assume. See OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 for activewear buyers.
Wording a PFAS-free claim
Many retailers now ask brands to confirm their products are PFAS-free, and some brands put the phrase on hang tags. Be careful with the wording. "No intentionally added PFAS" describes what you can usually document through declarations. "PFAS-free" on its own may be read as a broader statement about any trace presence, which is harder to support. Whatever wording you choose, it should match your documents, and it should be reviewed by your adviser before it appears on product or in a sales sheet.
Wholesale and retail partners
If you sell through studios, boutiques or larger retailers, expect partners to ask for a written statement and, in some cases, supporting documents. Having the material map and declarations ready makes these requests routine. It also helps when you add a new state to your distribution, because the work of mapping materials is already done and only the rule comparison changes.
Keep the file organized by style and by order. A partner asking about a specific delivery wants to see documents for that delivery's materials, not a general statement about the brand.
Designing PFAS questions out of the line
The simplest way to manage PFAS risk is to avoid needing repellent finishes in the first place. For most yoga apparel that is realistic: studio leggings, bras, sets and tops do not need to shed rain. If your collection includes outerwear or outdoor pieces that do need repellency, treat those fabrics as a separate sourcing decision, ask early about PFAS-free repellent options and allow time to confirm them.
How we help
We collect finish information and supplier declarations for the materials in your program, and we flag fabrics and trims where the answer is unclear. We do not give legal opinions, and we do not describe any partner factory or mill as certified unless a certificate is verified for that scope. Our compliance page sets out the documents we gather, and the quality control page explains how specifications are checked at pre-production. Related state-level topics are covered in Proposition 65 and activewear. To include PFAS questions from the first sample, send the desk your styles and target markets.