PFAS | Phasing Out Fluorocarbons

For over 10 years, we’ve been proactively phasing out fluorocarbons (PFAS) whilst pushing for greater honesty regarding PFAS use.

Over several seasons now, we have been transitioning to PFAS-free durable water repellent (DWR) treatments. But what is often overlooked is that PFAS can also be used in waterproof membranes, zips, and trims. We want to tell the whole story. That’s why we talk about PFAS-free components, not just PFAS-free DWRs.

What are PFAS?

PFAS are a category of synthetic chemical that are used to make products waterproof. The characteristics of PFAS means they're the perfect addition to outdoor products. Adding PFAS to a fabric means water beads on its surface and rolls off, rather than being absorbed. Forming a basis for membranes and weather-proof treatments such as durable water repellent (DWR) coatings in outdoor clothing, shoes, tents and backpacks as well as a multitude of other products.

What’s the difference between fluorocarbons/ PFCs/ PFAS etc?

A fluorocarbon is a manmade compound formed by a bond between fluorine and carbon. There are many different types, hence the use of various—and often confusing— acronyms such as PFC, PFAS and PFCec, used by the textile industry to define and categorise the harmful ones. Recently, the business and scientific community have agreed upon PFAS as the collective name for relevant fluorocarbons.

PFC: Perfluorinated compounds (or carbons, or chemicals).   

PFAS: Per and poly-fluoroalkyl substances.    

PFCec (GORE-TEX’s definition): Perfluorinated compounds of environmental concern .

Where are PFAS found?

There’s increasing research that demonstrates PFAS can leach from materials and gradually find their way into the water system. Although these substances do not occur naturally in nature, they can now be detected everywhere on earth. The compounds themselves have been associated with health problems in both wildlife and people, and they have been highlighted to be persistent, bio-accumulative and toxic. The impact of outdoor clothing as a route of exposure has been explored but is still not wholly understood. 

Outdoor clothing isn’t the only source of exposure. PFAS are used widely in firefighting foams, non-stick metal coatings, paper food packaging, creams and cosmetics, textiles for furniture, paints, chrome plating, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals, but as an outdoor industry, we recognise we must take responsibility to initiate change. Even more so because our people see the effects on the natural world first-hand and want to do what we can to protect it. 

Our progress.

We’ve eliminated the most harmful longer-chain PFAS chemicals (C8) and looked for other ways of maintaining water repellency, breathability, and durability from smaller-chain PFAS (C6) that are less harmful to the environment.  

It’s harder than we thought, but we’re getting there. The remaining styles to use these smaller chain PFAS are those that demand the highest standards in performance and durability, and where alternative options evaluated have yet to meet the performance criteria. 

95%

of Rab's AW24 purchased fabric with a DWR is PFAS-free.

91%

of Rab AW24 products are PFAS-free products.**

Our journey to phase out PFAS from all our products has been an ambitious one. We missed our AW24 target, but we’re still working with our ingredients partners to eliminate all intentional use of PFAS from our ranges by AW25. And not just from fabrics, but zips and trims too. 

**PFAS-free products are those which have no intentionally added PFAS and are compliant with current EU and USA legislation. 

Material Facts.

Our Material Facts tables transparently indicate where we’ve already phased out PFAS in our products, and where some may still remain. 

You can search by component where PFAS are present, either in the fabric, down, zips or trims, so that you can make a more informed decision around your purchasing choices. 

A QR code being scanned by a phone.

Product care.

We want to make sure that the garments we create have as little lasting impact on our planet as possible. 

Removing forever chemical treatments from the outdoor industry is just one way we can do that. Another is to make sure they stay useful for as long as possible. So caring for your clothing is essential to make sure we aren't making more of an impact than we need to. 

As we move away from the more harmful chemicals to our newer less harmful alternatives, the way we care for our gear is going to change. 

We need to make that extra effort to keep them in proper working order: 

  • Washing waterproof garments is key to performance and longevity. Wash more frequently (every 1-3 months), use a cleaner that is designed for waterproof shells, and avoid fabric softeners, which coat the fabric and make it less water-repellent.

  • Tumble dry (or iron under a cloth) to finish, as heat is an essential part of reactivating the water-repellent properties.

  • If a garment starts to soak up moisture ‘wetting out’, it’s time for re-proofing. Incorporate a PFAS-free re-proofing solution when performing the above steps. 

Suitable product care can be performed at home, but the Rab Service Centre also provides professional wash and reproofing services.  

You can read our guide to washing waterproofs at home here: 

How To Wash And Reproof Your Waterproof Jacket At Home 

How To Care For Your PFAS-free DWR Waterproof 

You can find out more about our journey to phase out PFAS in our annual Sustainability Report.