SGS Supports Industry Effort to Assess PFAS-Free Water- and Oil-Repellent Solutions

SGS Supports Industry Effort to Assess PFAS-Free Water- and Oil-Repellent Solutions

(IN BRIEF) SGS has joined Project DW(O)R-X, an apparel industry collaboration launched by Fashion for Good to benchmark durable water- and oil-repellent products that are free from intentionally added PFAS. The project will assess ten DW(O)R solutions, ranging from early-stage innovations to more established alternatives, across performance, environmental impact and cost. SGS will provide performance testing expertise, including multi-condition testing and custom stains relevant to sportswear and outerwear, such as soil, sunscreen and sweat. The initiative aims to create comparable industry data, build confidence in safer DW(O)R alternatives, support regulatory compliance and help the fashion sector move away from intentionally added PFAS.

(PRESS RELEASE) BAAR, 7-Aug-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — SGS has announced its participation in Project DW(O)R-X, a collaborative apparel industry initiative focused on benchmarking durable water- and oil-repellent products that are free from intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS

The project was launched by the non-profit organisation Fashion for Good and brings together industry stakeholders to support the development, assessment and adoption of safer alternatives in textile finishing.

SGS will contribute its performance testing expertise to the initiative, helping establish comparable data and updated benchmarks for emerging and established DW(O)R solutions.

Durable water- and oil-repellent finishes are widely used in the fashion and apparel industry to help materials remain dry, clean and durable over time.

However, some formulations contain PFAS, a group of substances that can remain in the environment for extended periods and are associated with adverse health effects when exposure exceeds established thresholds.

As regulations evolve and consumers increasingly seek safer and more environmentally responsible products, the industry faces the challenge of identifying alternatives that avoid intentionally added PFAS while still meeting required performance standards.

SGS said one of the key barriers is the lack of a unified method for assessing DW(O)R performance.

Existing testing protocols do not always reflect real-world use conditions, making it difficult to compare new solutions consistently.

This also limits the industry’s ability to reduce the risk of replacing one problematic substance with another.

Project DW(O)R-X has been created to address this gap.

The initiative will assess ten DW(O)R solutions that are free from intentionally added PFAS.

These solutions range from early-stage innovations to more established technologies.

The project will evaluate them across several key criteria, including performance, environmental impact and cost.

As part of the project, SGS will benchmark the physical performance of fabrics treated with the ten DW(O)R solutions.

The testing framework will include multi-condition testing and custom stains relevant to sportswear and outerwear applications.

These will include soil, sunscreen and sweat, reflecting conditions that garments may encounter in practical use.

SGS said its role will help create a common reference point for the industry.

Brands and mills will be able to use the data to support internal decision-making, while chemical companies will be able to substantiate performance claims using comparable results.

The benchmarking work is expected to help build confidence in DW(O)R alternatives and support the development of updated industry performance benchmarks.

It will also help identify leading solutions, clarify performance gaps and support further research, development and scale-up efforts.

Together with its Project DW(O)R-X partners, SGS said the initiative will support the fashion industry as it moves away from intentionally added PFAS.

The company said it looks forward to sharing insights from the benchmarking work to advance safer chemistry, environmental responsibility and consumer trust.

SGS said its participation in Project DW(O)R-X also reinforces its broader sustainability commitment through measurable impact.

Through its IMPACT NOW for sustainability initiative, SGS supports businesses across four pillars: climate, circularity, nature, and environmental and social governance assurance.

The company said this work helps organisations address critical environmental challenges, including PFAS, while supporting regulatory compliance, risk reduction and the transition toward a climate-neutral, nature-positive and pollution-free future.

Through Project DW(O)R-X, SGS is contributing to a collaborative industry effort to improve the evaluation of PFAS-free alternatives and support more responsible chemistry in apparel, sportswear and outerwear supply chains.

About SGS

SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of over 100,000 dedicated professionals. With more than 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.

Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and a portfolio of trusted specialized brands, including Applied Technical Services, Brightsight, Bluesign and Nutrasource.

SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN SW).

Media Contact:

Keith Tsang
Connectivity & Products
Global Softlines Development Office
t: +852 2204 8354

SOURCE: SGS