The Power of Knowing: Is PFAS Identification 70% of the Solution?
The global challenge of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)—the persistent "forever chemicals"—can feel overwhelming.
They are ubiquitous and persistent, and removing them from the environment is often complex and prohibitively expensive.
What if the most powerful step toward a cleaner future isn’t years of invention and innovation - but a simple, strategic action at the very beginning of your journey?
Identification. The core value proposition of tools like pfasID.org.
Knowing precisely where PFAS exist in your supply chain is the single most critical and most economical action you can take. It enables targeted elimination—saving time, money, and environmental harm down the line.
The Case for Identification: Learning from KEEN Footwear
The story of KEEN Footwear’s journey to eliminate PFAS from its products is a powerful and hopeful illustration of this principle.
In 2014, KEEN began a meticulous, component-by-component audit of its entire supply chain. What they discovered was startling—and incredibly instructive. PFAS was not only in the expected places, such as durable water-repellent (DWR) coatings, but also in over a hundred other components, including plastic trims, threads, and even in non-waterproof styles.
The result of this detailed identification?
Nearly 70% of their total PFAS use was eliminated simply by identifying where the chemicals were being used unnecessarily and encouraging suppliers to discontinue use. The substance wasn't even needed for performance in most of those applications (such as a water shoe being treated for waterproofing).
A further 27% was eliminated through rigorous substitution, in favor of safer, high-performing non-fluorinated alternatives.
About 3% remained for very specific performance requirements, which they worked on phasing out.
A Powerful Takeaway
KEEN’s success demonstrates that PFAS are often present in products due to legacy use, lack of communication, or unintentional inclusion in the supply chain—not because they are a genuine performance necessity. The lion's share of the cleanup was accomplished by simply identifying and discontinuing unnecessary use.
Your First Step to a PFAS-Free Future
For any company, large or small, the path to eliminating PFAS begins with a clear, reliable inventory. As KEEN proved, knowing where the problem is can be 70% of the solution.
pfasID.org provides the essential starting point: a dedicated tool to help you systematically identify PFAS within your supply chain and products.
How pfasID helps:
Screens chemicals against multiple PFAS definitions, including defined regulatory lists as well as structural definitions of PFAS;
Provides clear hazard indicators for each chemical entered
Generates reports for supply chain partners and is
Accessible to the entire supply chain.
The journey to a PFAS-free supply chain doesn't have to be an insurmountable climb. With the right tools for identification, it becomes a systematic, achievable process. Take that crucial first step today. Start identifying. Start eliminating.