From 1 July 2025 the Commonwealth of Australia listed in schedule 7 of the Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard Register, some of the more prominent types of PFAS (PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS) effectively banning their import, use and manufacture. This aligns Australia with the international community, and it will assist in minimising future exposure of humans and the environment to chemicals that are likely to cause serious or irreversible harm to the environment.

 

These types of industrial ‘forever’ chemicals were historically available in stain resistant coatings, water repellent textiles and in flame retardants. PFAS are known for their durability and resistance to heat, water, and grease—traits that have made them popular in a wide range of consumer products. However, these same characteristics also make PFAS highly persistent in the environment and the human body, raising concerns about long-term exposure and potential health impacts.

 

Our local Ultimate Healthcare treatment textile finishing processor works closely with their chemicals suppliers to ensure compliance with all AICIS requirements and can confirm and reassure our Healthcare Industry supply chain that their C6 chemistry technology used does not contain any of these products. Working closely with our suppliers we steered away from these a long time ago.

 

1. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)

2. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS)

3. Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)

 

Sustainable Living Fabrics products have never contained, or required the use of, Fire Retardant treatments to meet our National Construction Code requirements for public spaces.