How to Verify a PFAS-Free Claim: A Shopper's Checklist
Not every PFAS-free label means the same thing. Learn how to tell certifications like NSF 537 and OEKO-TEX apart from marketing, with a simple checklist.
How to Verify a PFAS-Free Claim: A Shopper’s Checklist
“PFAS-free” has become a selling point, which is great news. More brands want your business by cutting forever chemicals. The downside is that the phrase itself has no single legal definition in the US, so two products wearing the same words can mean very different things.
NSF even devoted an episode of its Food for Thought podcast to this exact question, titled “Proof in the Product: Validating PFAS-Free Claims.” A claim is only as good as the proof behind it. Here is how to check that proof yourself.
New to PFAS? Start with our guide to how PFAS rules differ between the EU and the US.
Three kinds of “PFAS-free”
Most claims fall into one of three tiers.
1. Self-declared. The brand says the product is PFAS-free, full stop. There may be good intentions behind it, but nobody outside the company has checked.
2. “No intentionally added PFAS.” This is narrower and more honest than it sounds. It means PFAS weren’t put in on purpose. It does not rule out contamination from recycled materials, processing aids or shared equipment. Many state laws use this definition, including Minnesota’s Amara’s Law, which defines “intentionally added” as PFAS deliberately added to perform a function.
3. Third-party certified and tested. An independent organization reviews the formulation, runs lab tests, and rechecks on a schedule. This is the tier worth looking for.
What a strong certification looks like
Two certifications show what good verification includes.
NSF 537 (food equipment and food-grade compounds)
NSF 537 launched in 2025 for food-grade lubricants, cleaners and food equipment materials. It requires:
- No intentionally added PFAS and no PFAS additives
- No post-consumer recycled material
- Total organic fluorine below 50 ppm in lab testing
- Annual attestation and annual retesting
The first company certified was ROCOL, for its FOODLUBE lubricants. ROCOL senior scientist Jess Baker said “collective action is essential” to tackling forever chemicals, and encouraged other manufacturers to certify too.
OEKO-TEX (textiles and leather)
For clothing, bedding and other textiles, OEKO-TEX banned the intentional use of PFAS in certified products starting in 2024 and set a 100 mg/kg total fluorine limit for STANDARD 100. Our OEKO-TEX guide goes deeper.
Notice what the two share: a clear definition, a measurable lab limit, and ongoing checks. That combination is what to look for in any label.
The shopper’s checklist
Before trusting a PFAS-free claim, run through these questions:
- Who is making the claim? The brand itself, or an independent certifier?
- Is there a measurable limit? Look for a fluorine test result or threshold, not just a promise.
- Does it cover the whole product? A jacket’s fabric might be certified while its zipper coating is not. A pan’s handle might be fine while its cooking surface is the question.
- Is it retested? Annual testing beats a single test from years ago.
- Can you look it up? Real certifications have public listings. NSF lists certified products in its White Book and Certified Food Equipment listing; OEKO-TEX labels carry a number you can check online.
- Is the claim vague? Words like “eco-friendly coating,” “non-toxic” or “free from PFOA” can hide other PFAS. PFOA is one chemical out of thousands.
That last one deserves extra attention. “PFOA-free” was a common cookware label for years, and it only tells you that one specific PFAS isn’t present. Our non-stick cookware guide explains why.
When in doubt, choose materials that skip the question
Some materials make verification easy because there is no coating to worry about. Bare cast iron, carbon steel, stainless steel and glass don’t depend on fluorinated treatments to work. A Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet, for example, is just iron seasoned with oil, and Lodge lists it as PFAS-free. Our stainless steel cookware guide covers more options.
Verify your own exposure, too
Labels are about products. If you want to know what is actually reaching your family, test the biggest exposure route: water. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences says contaminated water and food are the most likely ways people are exposed.
A mail-in lab test like the Tap Score Professional PFAS Water Test measures specific PFAS in your tap water. It costs real money, but it replaces guesswork with numbers. Our guide to certified PFAS water testing compares options, and if you are curious about personal levels, see PFAS blood testing.
For products that have already been vetted, browse the PFAS Free Life Database.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “PFAS-free” a regulated term?
There is no single federal definition of “PFAS-free” in the US. Several states, including Minnesota, regulate products with “intentionally added” PFAS, which is a narrower standard. Third-party certifications like NSF 537 and OEKO-TEX add lab testing on top.
What is the difference between “PFAS-free” and “no intentionally added PFAS”?
“No intentionally added PFAS” means PFAS weren’t deliberately used, but trace contamination is still possible. A tested PFAS-free certification sets a measurable fluorine limit and checks it in a lab.
Does “PFOA-free” mean PFAS-free?
No. PFOA is one PFAS out of thousands. A PFOA-free product can still contain other PFAS.
How can I check if a product is really certified?
Look for a public listing. NSF publishes certified products in its White Book and Certified Food Equipment listing, and OEKO-TEX labels include a number you can verify online.