If you make textiles, outdoor gear or anything with a coating, you will hear about total organic fluorine testing soon. California uses it to define its textile limit. Minnesota lets you use it when you can't name every PFAS in a product. Labs push it as a cheap screen.
This guide explains what TOF is, what it can and can't tell you, and how to use it without wasting money.
Key takeaways
- TOF measures all carbon-bound fluorine, so it catches PFAS broadly.
- It does not identify which PFAS are present.
- California's textile limit is written in TOF: 100 ppm now, 50 ppm from January 1, 2027.
- Use TOF to screen high-risk materials and confirm supplier declarations, not to replace them.
What TOF actually measures
Every PFAS molecule has carbon atoms bonded to fluorine atoms. That bond is what makes PFAS so stable. A TOF test burns or breaks down a sample and measures how much fluorine came from those organic (carbon-based) bonds.
The result is a single number, usually in parts per million (ppm). It answers one question: how much organic fluorine is in this material?
The common method is combustion ion chromatography (CIC). Labs may report "total fluorine" (TF) or "extractable organic fluorine" (EOF) instead. These are related but not identical, so check which one the law or your buyer asks for.
TOF vs. targeted PFAS testing
| Total organic fluorine | Targeted PFAS analysis | |
|---|---|---|
| What it finds | All carbon-bound fluorine | Specific named PFAS (often 30–70 compounds) |
| Identifies chemicals? | No | Yes |
| Catches unknown PFAS? | Yes | No |
| Catches polymeric PFAS (e.g., PTFE)? | Often yes | Usually no |
| Typical use | Screening, California textile limit | Proof for specific substances, EU food packaging |
| Relative cost | Lower | Higher |
Neither test is "better." They answer different questions. Many brands screen with TOF and run targeted tests only when TOF comes back high.
Where TOF shows up in the rules
California AB 1817 (textiles)
California's law defines regulated PFAS as either intentionally added PFAS or PFAS present at or above a TOF threshold. The threshold is 100 ppm from January 1, 2025, dropping to 50 ppm on January 1, 2027. The law covers apparel, accessories, bedding, towels, upholstery and many other textiles. See our AB 1817 guide.
Minnesota reporting
Minnesota's reporting rule asks for the amount of each PFAS. If that is not known, manufacturers may report based on total organic fluorine, and ranges are allowed instead of exact amounts. See Minnesota PFAS reporting.
EU food-contact packaging
The EU PPWR uses three limits for food-contact packaging, including 50 ppm total PFAS including polymeric PFAS. Total fluorine testing is one way labs screen against that limit. See PPWR PFAS limits.
The limits of TOF
TOF is useful, but know its weak spots:
- False positives. Fluorine from non-PFAS sources can raise the number. Some flame retardants, pigments or inorganic contamination can confuse results if the method isn't clean.
- No chemical names. Minnesota asks for the purpose and identity of PFAS where known. TOF alone can't tell you that.
- Sample choice matters. Testing the shell fabric says nothing about the zipper tape. Test the right component.
- Detection limits. Ask the lab for its reporting limit. A result of "<10 ppm" is very different from "<100 ppm."
When to use TOF testing
Use it where risk is high and data is thin:
- Coated or laminated fabrics where the supplier won't confirm the chemistry.
- Water- or stain-repellent finishes marked "PFAS-free" but with no test data.
- New suppliers with no history.
- Spot checks on a sample of materials each year to confirm declarations stay true.
- California textiles near the 50 ppm line before January 2027.
Skip it, at least at first, for low-risk materials like plain cotton, metal hardware or uncoated paper, unless a buyer asks.
How to order a TOF test
- Pick an accredited lab (ISO/IEC 17025) with PFAS experience.
- Name the method you need and the reporting limit.
- Send the right sample. One component per test, clearly labeled with supplier and lot.
- Ask for a report that names the material, method, limit of detection and result.
- File it with the supplier declaration for that material.
Costs vary by lab and volume. Our post on PFAS testing cost gives rough ranges and a plan to spend wisely.
Reading a TOF result
- Below the lab's reporting limit: strong support for "no intentionally added PFAS," if the declaration agrees.
- Low but measurable (e.g., 5–30 ppm): likely trace contamination. Fine for intent-based laws; check against California's 50 ppm from 2027.
- High (e.g., 100+ ppm): likely intentional fluorine chemistry. Go back to the supplier. Run a targeted test if needed.
A worked example: one jacket, four tests
Say you sell a 2.5-layer rain jacket in California. You switched to a PFAS-free DWR two seasons ago. Here's how a sensible TOF plan looks:
| Component | Supplier says | TOF result | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shell fabric with C0 DWR | No PFAS added | 8 ppm | Fine for 2027 |
| PU membrane | No PFAS added | <5 ppm | Fine |
| Zipper tape (water-resistant) | "Compliant" (vague) | 62 ppm | Passes 100 ppm today, fails 50 ppm from Jan 2027 |
| Seam tape | No answer yet | 11 ppm | Fine, but keep chasing the declaration |
Without testing, the zipper would have looked fine on paper. The TOF screen found it. Now you can ask the zipper maker what coating they use and switch before January 1, 2027.
Questions to ask your lab
- Which method do you use (CIC, other) and is it accredited for this material?
- What is your reporting limit? (Aim well under 50 ppm.)
- Do you report total fluorine, total organic fluorine, or extractable organic fluorine?
- How do you prepare multi-layer samples like laminates?
- What turnaround can you commit to in December?
Clear answers here prevent a report that looks good but doesn't prove what you need.
Key terms
- TOF (total organic fluorine): All fluorine bound to carbon in a sample, reported as a single number.
- CIC (combustion ion chromatography): A common lab method that burns a sample and measures released fluoride.
- EOF (extractable organic fluorine): Fluorine that can be extracted with solvents; often lower than total fluorine.
- Reporting limit: The lowest level a lab will report with confidence. It must be below the limit you need to prove.
How Secuabase helps
We match each test report to the right component and supplier, flag tests that don't cover what they claim, and point out which materials should be tested next. The result is a product file where every number is traced to its source document.
For our first partners we run it free on one product line. Book a quick chat.
FAQ
What is total organic fluorine testing?
A lab method that measures all fluorine bound to carbon in a sample. Because all PFAS contain carbon-fluorine bonds, TOF works as a broad screen.
Is TOF the same as a PFAS test?
No. TOF can't tell you which PFAS are present. Targeted tests identify specific PFAS but miss the ones they don't look for.
Which laws use total organic fluorine?
California AB 1817 sets TOF limits for textiles. Minnesota allows TOF-based reporting when specific PFAS are unknown.
General information, not legal or technical advice. Ask your lab which method fits your material. Facts checked October 2026.
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