Report of the EURL FCM proficiency test FCM-25/01

The European Union Reference Laboratory for Food Contact Materials (EURL-FCM) organised a proficiency testing (PT) round for the determination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to address the growing regulatory and scientific attention on these compounds. The PT aimed to assess the preparedness of national reference laboratories (NRLs) and official control laboratories (OCLs) in identifying and quantifying various PFAS in methanol. Participants were asked to quantify six PFAS: perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS), perfluoro-n-octanoic acid (PFOA), perfluoro-n-nonanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and perfluoro-n-tetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA). Laboratories were required to report concentrations in µg L-1, expanded uncertainties and used analytical technique, while performance was evaluated through z- and zeta-scores (z and  scores) and uncertainty scoring. A total of twenty-one laboratories submitted results. While performance was generally very good for all six target compounds (satisfactory zeta scores for 79 % - 89 % participants, depending on the compound), only fourteen laboratories quantified PFTeDA. Additionally, participants were asked to identify eighteen additional compounds present in the test item and provide this information via a questionnaire. Identification of additional PFAS was less satisfactory for fluorotelomer sulfonates (FTS), perfluorooctanesulfonamide (FOSA) and perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acids (FOSAA) compared to perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) and perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs).

POKORSKA Olga;  BRATINOVA Stefanka Petkova;  BELDI Giorgia;  ROBOUCH Piotr;  LARCHER Fabrizio; 

2026-06-19

Publications Office of the European Union

JRC146575

978-92-68-40167-5 (online),   

1831-9424 (online),   

EUR 40742,    OP KJ-01-26-243-EN-N (online),   

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC146575,   

10.2760/3607323 (online),