A new testing standard is redefining what compliance means for the textile industry. EN 17681-1:2025 introduces alkaline hydrolysis and higher analytical sensitivity, setting a new benchmark for PFAS detection. The update will alter certification outcomes and testing routines across the value chain.
Regulation is now a determinant of market access and brand credibility. The forthcoming EU Digital Product Passport will extend traceability requirements to material inputs, documentation, and data transparency. At the same time, companies face growing expectations from buyers and partners to substantiate environmental claims with verifiable evidence.
This whitepaper by SGI Europe, developed in partnership with RUDOLF, examines how regulation, consumer expectations, and chemical innovation intersect. It highlights the testing standards, material categories, and documentation practices that will define competitiveness in the next compliance cycle.
What you’ll learn:
- How to identify upcoming rules that affect chemical use in textiles
- What changes the new EN 17681-1:2025 PFAS test method introduces and how it impacts certification
- Which chemical groups are entering the next compliance cycle, including the evolving landscape of antibacterial finishes & bisphenol-free fixing agents
- How to communicate sustainability information with transparent scope and public sources
- Why Product Carbon Footprints (PCFs) are increasingly required by customers and regulators
- How to prepare for Digital Product Passport data requests expected from 2027 for textiles in the EU
- How to view the textile industry from a chemistry perspective, connecting product performance with regulatory compliance
Download our exclusive report now. Fill in the form to access all insights.
Inside the report
1. Regulation and innovation
PFAS, bisphenols and biocides are under review as global testing and registration standards evolve. Early adjustment of chemical selections helps companies stay compliant and preserve performance standards across product lines.
2. Consumers and credibility
Durability, transparency and data integrity are becoming decisive. The paper outlines what ESPR and DPP will introduce and how brands can align internal systems before enforcement.
3. Building transparency through traceability
Traceability now includes chemical inputs. A documented three-step process, covering invoice validation, material testing and supplier questionnaires, illustrates how proof of compliance can be built into daily operations.
4. Chemistry as an enabler
Advances in formulation and testing are opening new paths for verified material innovation. Examples in the report show how chemistry supports recyclability, biobased content verification, and cradle-to-gate carbon data collection.
Download our exclusive report now. Fill in the form to access all insights.
This whitepaper is a must-read for:
- Product development teams in brands and retailers adapting to new compliance demands
- Sustainability and compliance managers preparing for ESPR and DPP requirements
- R&D and material teams evaluating compliant chemical alternatives
- Retailers and sourcing managers coordinating supplier documentation and testing
Download our exclusive report now. Fill in the form to access all insights.
About RUDOLF
RUDOLF is a global leader in textile chemistry and sustainability innovation.
Founded 1922, headquartered in Geretsried, RUDOLF has built a century-long reputation for precision, ecological responsibility, and service-oriented and forward-thinking product development. Today, the company operates as a modern powerhouse for high-performance textile auxiliaries and sustainable chemical solutions used across sportswear, outdoor, technical fabrics, and fashion.
RUDOLF’s mission is to help brands stay compliant, transparent, and competitive — from PFAS-free water repellents to biobased finishes. Its portfolio enables partners to meet the world’s strictest environmental standards while driving innovation in performance and circularity.
