Use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer uses of TULAC

Published date: 3 October 2024

This notice was replaced on 3 October 2024

This notice does not contain the most up-to-date information about this procurement. The most recent notice is:

Early engagement (published 3 October 2024, last edited 3 October 2024)

Closed early engagement

Contract summary

Industry

Research laboratory services - 73111000

Location of contract

Any region

Procurement reference

CF-0376800D8d000003VQwdEAG

Published date

3 October 2024

Closing date

11 October 2024

Contract type

Service contract

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Description

Use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer uses of Textiles, Upholstery, Leather Apparel and Carpets (TULAC)

Following the publication of the UK REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and restriction of Chemicals) Regulatory Management Options Analysis (RMOA) for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) (HSE, 2023), the Environment Agency (EA) are considering whether to propose restrictions on the use of certain PFAS-containing products. To help guide this decision, it would be useful to have more knowledge about PFAS exposure specific to GB. Among the consumer product categories in GB, Textiles, Upholstery, Leather, Apparel, and Carpets (TULAC) has one of the highest estimated potential emissions as well as the possibility of direct human exposure.

The EA are looking for a laboratory to analyse approximately 50 TULAC samples for PFAS concentrations using an appropriate method. Due to uncertainty over the range of PFAS that may be present, a total PFAS analysis such as the Total Oxidisable Precursor (TOP) assay or Total Hydrolysable Precursor (THP) assay should be used with characterisation of the extract. The EA will also consider alternative PFAS extraction / analysis methods that the laboratory considers suitable or beneficial for the matrices being tested. We anticipate that TULAC samples would be sent to the laboratory in December 2024, with analysis to be complete by the end of February 2025.

The objective is to generate information on PFAS concentrations in a variety of pertinent product categories available on the GB market, particularly those that haven't been thoroughly examined before.

About the buyer

Contact name

Jemma Godleman

Address

Kings Meadow House, Kings Meadow Road
Reading
RG1 8DQ
UK

Email

jemma.godleman@defra.gov.uk