In recent years, global market attention to the safety of food contact materials has kept rising. PFAS (Per and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), valued for their excellent oilrepellent, waterrepellent and stainresistant properties, were once widely used in certain food contact materials.

However, as environmental regulations and market supervision requirements keep tightening, stricter controls over PFAS are being enforced across Europe (including the UK). For enterprises intending to place food contact materials on the European (including UK) market, advance compliance preparation constitutes a critical guarantee for stable product sales.

I. What are PFAS?

PFAS are a group of manmade fluorinated compounds with high chemical stability. They are commonly used to enhance material performance in the following aspects:

l Oilrepellent performance

l Waterrepellent performance

l Stainresistant performance

With tightening regulatory requirements, PFAS levels in food contact materials have become a key focus for the European market. Starting from 12 August 2026, new noncompliant products will be prohibited from being listed on European (including UK) marketplaces. Existing listed products must be rectified to meet platform requirements by 30 October 2026. Products failing rectification by the deadline will be delisted by the platform in accordance with market supervision and customsclearance rules.

II. Which products require special attention?

The current European (including UK) regulation mainly targets food contact materials, including:

l Oilrepellent foodcontact packaging paper

l Paper cups and paper plates

l Food containers

l Baking packaging

l Takeaway food packaging materials

l Paperbased products with waterrepellent and oilrepellent functions

The rules apply to papermade food contact materials and all food contact materials with waterrepellent, oilrepellent or similar functional properties. Materials treated with special coatings shall be prioritized for PFAS risk screening.

III. PFAS Testing Requirements

1. PFAS SelfDeclaration of Conformity Upload level: Merchant level

2. PFAS Test Report for Food Contact Materials Upload level:

SKU level Test methods:

l Total Fluorine Test: ASTM D7359:2023

l PFAS Compound Test: EN 176811:2025

IV. Scope of PFAS Substances for Testing

During testing, the total fluorine (organic + inorganic) content shall be measured first. A failure in totalfluorine testing results in an overall test failure. Rootcause investigation and corrective actions are recommended. If totalfluorine testing passes, specific PFAS substance testing shall be performed additionally.

There are thousands of PFAS variants. Test reports shall cover test results for at least the following 36 PFAS substances.

V. Compliance Steps for Merchants — What Should Enterprises Do Now?

1. SHEIN Merchant Backoffice Operation Path:

l Compliance Center

l Product Compliance Management

l Search for target SKU products

l Upload relevant certificates

2. Prescreening for enterprises

(1) Confirmation checks:

l Whether the product falls under foodcontactmaterial scope;

l Whether it has undergone oilrepellent treatment, waterrepellent treatment or fluorinecontaining coating treatment.

(2) Verify material sources

l Whether PFAS substances are added;

l Whether fluorinebased treatment processes are adopted.

(3) Preparations for advance testing:

l  PFAS test reportsProduct documentation

l  Compliance certification documents

Conclusion

Regulations governing food contact materials in Europe keep evolving. PFAS compliance is more than just a test report; it determines whether products can successfully access the European market. For suppliers of food packaging, paper articles and oil/waterresistant materials: conduct testing and planning in advance; complete rectification ahead of time to secure market stability.

The 2026 PFAS compliance requirements are soon to take effect. Enterprises shall finish product screening and document preparation at an early stage to secure compliance for sales on the European market.