Reference
PFAS Definitions and Glossary
Most state laws define PFAS as a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. The exceptions matter: New Hampshire follows the narrower federal TSCA definition, and New Mexico and Canada set fluoropolymers apart.
How each law defines PFAS
| Jurisdiction | Law | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | AFFF Discharge and Use Restriction | perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances that are a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom |
| California | Plant-based food packaging PFAS ban (AB 1200) | a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom |
| Colorado | Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Chemicals Consumer Protection Act | Defined by reference to C.R.S. 25-5-1302(7): 'a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom' |
| Colorado | Firefighting Foams and Personal Protective Equipment Control Act and training restriction | a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom |
| Connecticut | PFAS in consumer products (notification, labeling and sales ban) | all members of the class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom |
| Connecticut | Class B firefighting foam PFAS restrictions | a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom |
| Florida | AFFF Phaseout and PFAS Biosolids Testing Act | firefighting foam containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, including perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonate |
| Georgia | Use of Class B Fire-Fighting Foam Containing PFAS | fluorinated organic chemicals that contain at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom |
| Hawaii | PFAS prohibited: food packaging and class B firefighting foam (Act 152) | all members of the class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom" (HRS 321-601) |
| Illinois | PFAS Reduction Act | a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom |
| Indiana | Use of Firefighting Foam Containing PFAS Chemicals | any chemical of a class of fluorinated organic chemicals, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that contain at least one fully fluorinated atom |
| Louisiana | Class B Firefighting Foam PFAS Restriction | a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom, including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and designed to be fully functional in Class B fire fighting foam formulations |
| Maine | PFAS in Products law (An Act To Stop Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Pollution) | Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances" or "PFAS" means substances that include any member of the class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. |
| Maine | PFAS in firefighting or fire-suppressing foam | Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances" or "PFAS" has the same meaning as in Title 32, section 1732, subsection 5-A (any member of the class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom). |
| Maryland | George "Walter" Taylor Act | a class of fluorinated organic chemicals that contain at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom, including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances |
| Massachusetts | An Act relative to the reduction of certain toxic chemicals in firefighter personal protective equipment | Perfluoraolkyl and polyfluoraolkyl substances" or "PFAS chemicals", a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least 1 fully fluorinated carbon atom. (spelling as in the statute) |
| Minnesota | Amara's Law (products containing PFAS) | a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom |
| Nevada | Class B firefighting foam containing PFAS (AB 97) | a class of fluorinated organic chemicals that contain at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom" (NRS 459.678) |
| New Hampshire | Consumer products; PFAS use restricted (HB 1649) | Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances or "PFAS" means "PFAS" as defined in 40 C.F.R. 705.3. |
| New Hampshire | Certain chemicals prohibited in firefighting foam | Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances" or "PFAS chemicals" means, for the purposes of firefighting agents and firefighting equipment, a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. |
| New Jersey | Protecting Against Forever Chemicals Act | substances that include any member of the class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom |
| New Mexico | Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances Protection Act | a substance in a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom |
| New York | PFAS in food packaging (Hazardous Packaging Act) | a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom |
| Ohio | PFAS chemicals in firefighting foam | A class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom, including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, that are designed to be fully functional in class B firefighting foam formulations. |
| Oregon | PFAS in foodware containers (SB 543) | a substance included in a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom" (ORS 459.465(3)) |
| Oregon | Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act | a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom" (ORS 431A.330(10)) |
| Rhode Island | Consumer PFAS Ban Act of 2024 | substances that include any member of the class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom |
| Vermont | PFAS in consumer products (Act 131 of 2024 as amended by Act 54 of 2025) | Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances" or "PFAS" means a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. |
| Virginia | Firefighting Foam Management | a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom |
| Washington | PFAS in food packaging (Toxics in Packaging law) | a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom" (for the purposes of food packaging, RCW 70A.222.010(5)) |
| Washington | Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act | Same as RCW 70A.350.010: "a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom" (RCW 70A.560.010(5)) |
| Denmark | Ban on PFAS in consumer clothing, footwear and waterproofing agents | Ethvert stof, der indeholder mindst ét fuldt fluoreret methyl- (CF3) eller methylen- (CF2) kulstofatom, uden nogen hydrogen-, klor-, brom- eller iod-atomer bundet til sig |
| European Union | REACH restriction on PFHxA, its salts and related substances | PFHxA-related substances are substances that, based on their molecular structure, are considered to have the potential to degrade or be transformed to PFHxA |
| European Union | REACH restriction on PFAS in firefighting foams | any substance that contains at least one fully fluorinated methyl (CF3) or methylene (CF2) carbon atom (without any H/Cl/Br/I attached to it) |
| New Zealand | Ban on PFAS in cosmetic products | any substance that contains at least one fully fluorinated methyl (CF3-) or methylene (-CF2-) carbon atom (without any H/Cl/Br/I attached to it) |
| United States (federal) | TSCA section 8(a)(7) PFAS reporting and recordkeeping rule | any chemical substance or mixture containing a chemical substance that structurally contains at least one of the following three sub-structures: (1) R-(CF2)-CF(R')R'', where both the CF2 and CF moieties are saturated carbons. (2) R-CF2OCF2-R', where R and R' can either be F, O, or saturated carbons. (3) CF3C(CF3)R'R'', where R' and R'' can either be F or saturated carbons. |
| United States (federal) | Significant new use rule for 329 PFAS designated inactive on the TSCA Inventory | The 329 chemical substances identified in paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (iii) of this section, designated as inactive on the TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory as of January 26, 2023 (substances with the same three TSCA PFAS sub-structures used in 40 CFR part 705). |
| United States (federal) | CERCLA hazardous substance designation of PFOA and PFOS | perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), including their salts and structural isomers |
| United States (federal) | DoD phase-out of fluorinated aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) | 'perfluoroalkyl substances' means aliphatic substances for which all of the H atoms attached to C atoms in the nonfluorinated substance from which they are notionally derived have been replaced by F atoms, except those H atoms whose substitution would modify the nature of any functional groups present; 'polyfluoroalkyl substances' means aliphatic substances for which all H atoms attached to at least one (but not all) C atoms have been replaced by F atoms, in such a manner that they contain the perfluoroalkyl moiety CnF2n+1 |
| United States (federal) | DoD procurement restriction on firefighter protective equipment containing PFAS | 'perfluoroalkyl substance' means a man-made chemical of which all of the carbon atoms are fully fluorinated carbon atoms; 'polyfluoroalkyl substance' means a man-made chemical containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom and at least one non-fully fluorinated carbon atom |
Glossary
- PFAS
- Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Most state product laws define them as a class of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. New Hampshire uses the narrower structural definition in EPA's TSCA reporting rule.
- Intentionally added PFAS
- PFAS a manufacturer adds to a product on purpose because they have a functional or technical effect. Most laws also count PFAS components of added chemicals and intentional breakdown products.
- Regulated PFAS
- The term California and Vermont use for intentionally added PFAS or PFAS present at or above a total organic fluorine threshold. For textiles the threshold is 100 ppm, falling to 50 ppm in 2027.
- Total organic fluorine (TOF)
- A test that measures all fluorine bound in organic compounds in a sample. Laws use it as a screen for PFAS because no method measures every PFAS individually.
- Total fluorine
- A test for all fluorine, organic and inorganic. Denmark's clothing ban and the EU packaging screen rely on it, and Washington presumes intentional addition above 50 ppm under its 2025 rule.
- Targeted analysis
- Testing for a defined list of individual PFAS. The EU packaging limits of 25 ppb for any single PFAS and 250 ppb for the sum use targeted analysis.
- TOP assay
- Total oxidizable precursor assay, which converts PFAS precursors into acids a lab can measure. The European Commission's 2026 packaging guidance lists it as a follow-up test.
- A regulator's finding that a PFAS use is essential for health, safety or the functioning of society and that alternatives are not reasonably available. Maine, Minnesota and New Mexico use these findings to exempt products from their bans for a set period.
- Fluoropolymer
- A polymer with fluorine atoms on its carbon backbone, such as PTFE. New Mexico exempts products containing solid fluoropolymers, and Canada excludes fluoropolymers from its PFAS class.
- PTFE
- Polytetrafluoroethylene, the fluoropolymer used in many nonstick coatings, dental flosses and membranes.
- PFOA
- Perfluorooctanoic acid, a long-chain PFAS. It is listed under the Stockholm Convention and is a CERCLA hazardous substance in the United States.
- PFOS
- Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, a long-chain PFAS once used in stain repellents and firefighting foam. Most programs regulate it alongside PFOA.
- PFHxA
- Perfluorohexanoic acid, a short-chain PFAS. The EU restricts it and related substances under REACH Annex XVII entry 79.
- PFHxS
- Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid, listed under the Stockholm Convention and prohibited in the EU, Great Britain and Australia.
- HFPO-DA (GenX)
- Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid, a PFOA replacement. EPA set a 10 ppt drinking water limit for it in 2024 and proposed rescinding that limit in May 2026.
- Long-chain PFCAs
- Perfluorocarboxylic acids with 9 to 21 carbon atoms, listed under the Stockholm Convention in May 2025.
- AFFF
- Aqueous film-forming foam, a Class B firefighting foam that historically relied on PFAS to spread across burning fuel.
- Class B foam
- Foam used on flammable liquid fires, such as fuel fires. Most state foam laws cover Class B foam with intentionally added PFAS.
- Fluorine-free foam
- Class B foam made without PFAS, often called F3. Airports and military bases can now use it under FAA guidance and the military specification.
- Turnout gear
- A firefighter's protective coat and pants. Their moisture barriers and outer shells have used PFAS.
- Outdoor apparel for severe wet conditions
- Extreme-use outerwear for experts in activities such as offshore fishing, offshore sailing, whitewater kayaking and mountaineering, not marketed for general consumer use. Several states give it later dates or a disclosure option.
- Juvenile product
- A product designed for children under 12, such as a car seat, crib, stroller or play mat. Definitions vary, and most exclude children's electronics.
- Textile article
- Apparel, accessories, handbags, bedding, towels, curtains and other textile goods, as each law defines them.
- Fabric treatment
- An aftermarket product applied to textiles or leather to add stain, oil or water resistance.
- Priority Product
- A product and chemical combination listed under California's Safer Consumer Products rules. Carpets and rugs with PFAS and PFAS treatments for textiles and leather are Priority Products, which triggers manufacturer notification.
- Practical quantification limit
- The lowest concentration a laboratory can reliably measure. Oregon's cosmetics law bans intentionally added PFAS above limits the Oregon Health Authority sets by rule.
- TSCA section 8(a)(7)
- The federal rule requiring a one-time report from anyone who made or imported PFAS, including PFAS in imported articles, in any year from 2011 through 2022.
- Significant new use rule (SNUR)
- An EPA rule requiring advance notice before a chemical is used in a new way. The January 2024 SNUR requires 90 days' notice before anyone makes, imports or processes any of 329 inactive PFAS.
- Maximum contaminant level (MCL)
- An enforceable drinking water limit under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
- Hazard index
- A combined limit for mixtures of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA and PFBS in the 2024 drinking water rule. EPA proposed rescinding it in May 2026.
- CERCLA hazardous substance
- A substance whose releases must be reported and can create Superfund cleanup liability. PFOA and PFOS were designated in 2024.
- Chemical of special concern
- A Toxics Release Inventory chemical with no de minimis exemption. Since reporting year 2024, suppliers must disclose TRI-listed PFAS in mixtures at any concentration.
- REACH Annex XVII
- The EU's list of restrictions on chemicals in products. PFAS entries include PFHxA (entry 79) and PFAS in firefighting foams (entry 82).
- POPs Regulation
- The EU law implementing the Stockholm Convention. It prohibits PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS, subject to trace limits.
- PPWR
- The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, (EU) 2025/40. Article 5 sets PFAS limits for food-contact packaging from August 12, 2026.
- IChEMS
- Australia's Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard. Schedule 7 prohibits PFOS, PFOA and PFHxS from July 1, 2025.
- CEPA Schedule 1
- Canada's List of Toxic Substances. Adding the PFAS class, proposed in March 2025, would allow broader regulations.