BJL Laboratoires provides PFAS testing (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) for industrial companies, local authorities, environmental consultancies and environmental professionals. Samples can be sent to the laboratory from anywhere in France and from other European countries.

Our testing services can identify and quantify a range of PFAS compounds in drinking water, raw water, groundwater, surface water, process water and industrial effluents.

PFAS testing laboratory: water, effluents and environmental matrices

PFAS are a very large family of chemicals characterised in particular by extremely stable carbon-fluorine bonds. This stability explains their high persistence in the environment.

PFAS have been used in numerous industrial applications and technical products, including surface treatments, textiles, firefighting foams, coatings, non-stick products, packaging, industrial processes and specialist formulations.

They can be found in water, soil and other environmental compartments. Laboratory PFAS testing can identify the target substances and determine their concentrations.

BJL Laboratoires helps clients define the appropriate analytical service according to:

• the matrix to be tested;
• the regulatory or environmental context;
• the target PFAS compounds;
• the required limits of quantification;
• the number of samples;
• the required turnaround time.

Which PFAS tests does BJL Laboratoires provide?

PFAS testing in water

BJL Laboratoires tests for PFAS in several types of water:

• drinking water;
• water intended for human consumption;
• raw water;
• water from abstraction points;
• groundwater;
• surface water;
• process water;
• industrial effluents;
• aqueous discharges.

The list of target compounds and the required analytical performance are determined according to the purpose of the monitoring programme or study.

Learn more about PFAS testing in water

Testing for the 20 PFAS in drinking water

European and French requirements for water intended for human consumption include the monitoring of a parameter corresponding to the sum of 20 PFAS.

The quality limit for this sum is 0.10 µg/L, equivalent to 100 ng/L.

The list includes PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS and PFNA, as well as several perfluorocarboxylic and perfluorosulfonic acids.

BJL Laboratoires assists water network operators, local authorities, environmental consultancies and water professionals in defining an appropriate analytical programme.

PFAS testing in industrial effluents

PFAS can be investigated in industrial effluents, process water, wash water, discharges before or after treatment and other aqueous discharges.

These tests may be performed as part of:

• an environmental investigation;
• a search for the source of contamination;
• discharge monitoring;
• treatment process monitoring;
• a regulatory study;
• environmental monitoring at an industrial facility;
• a project involving a French classified facility for environmental protection (ICPE).

BJL Laboratoires works with the client to define the target PFAS list and the analytical performance required for the relevant context.

PFAS testing in industrial effluents

PFAS testing and French ICPE facilities

The French Order of 20 June 2023 introduced specific provisions concerning the identification and analysis of PFAS in aqueous discharges from certain authorised classified facilities for environmental protection (ICPE).

Depending on the facility, the investigation may require:

• identification of the PFAS used, produced, treated or discharged by the site;
• testing for PFAS covered by the applicable regulatory framework;
• analysis of the relevant aqueous discharge points;
• analytical performance suited to regulatory requirements;
• characterisation of organic fluorine in certain monitoring programmes.

Before starting a sampling campaign, the laboratory should be informed about the site's activities, the nature of its discharges, the sampling points concerned and the regulatory context of the request.

Request a PFAS testing quote for an ICPE facility

Which PFAS compounds can be tested?

The PFAS family includes a very large number of substances. Frequently investigated compounds include:

Perfluorocarboxylic acids

Perfluorosulfonic acids

Other PFAS compounds can be investigated depending on the analytical programme, matrix and purpose of the study.

For a specific request, send us the compound names or CAS numbers so that the laboratory can assess analytical feasibility.

View the list of 20 regulated PFAS

PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS and PFNA

Some PFAS compounds are subject to particular scrutiny because of their historical uses, environmental persistence and the regulatory provisions that apply to them.

PFOA

PFOA is perfluorooctanoic acid. It belongs to the perfluorocarboxylic acid family.

PFOS

PFOS is perfluorooctanesulfonic acid. It belongs to the perfluorosulfonic compound family.

PFHxS

PFHxS is perfluorohexanesulfonic acid. It is one of the PFAS subject to particular monitoring.

PFNA

PFNA is perfluorononanoic acid. It belongs to the perfluorocarboxylic acid family.

These substances can be tested individually or as part of a broader PFAS list, depending on the purpose of the monitoring programme.

Sampling for PFAS testing

PFAS sampling is a particularly important step. Some materials and consumables may contain fluorinated compounds that could contaminate the sample.

Before sampling, BJL Laboratoires can provide information about:

• the type of container to use;
• the required sample volume;
• storage conditions;
• precautions to follow during sampling;
• information to include on sample labels;
• shipping conditions.

In particular, uncontrolled use of equipment containing PTFE or other fluoropolymers that could interfere with PFAS testing should be avoided.

PFAS water sampling instructions

Sending PFAS samples from France and Europe

You do not need to be located near the laboratory to use our testing services.

Industrial companies, local authorities, environmental consultancies and environmental professionals can send their samples to BJL Laboratoires from anywhere in France and, subject to prior approval, from other European countries.

Before shipping, contact the laboratory to confirm:

• the nature of the sample;
• the target PFAS compounds;
• the required sample containers;
• the minimum sample volume;
• storage conditions;
• transport conditions;
• the expected turnaround time.

This arrangement enables BJL Laboratoires to handle requests from Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Lille, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Nantes, Rennes, Strasbourg and Grenoble, as well as from the rest of France and Europe.

PFAS test report

The test report identifies the target substances and the results obtained for each sample.

Depending on the service performed, the report may include:

• the name of the substance tested;
• its identification;
• the measured concentration;
• the unit used;
• the applicable limit of quantification;
• any relevant analytical observations.

The results may be used for regulatory monitoring, environmental investigations, pollution assessments, industrial monitoring or treatment studies.

Why choose BJL Laboratoires for PFAS testing?

BJL Laboratoires is an independent French laboratory specialising in environmental testing.

We work with:

• industrial companies;
• local authorities;
• environmental consultancies;
• water network operators;
• environmental service providers;
• professionals responsible for investigations, monitoring and regulatory programmes.

Our team can help define the appropriate service according to the matrix, the list of target substances and the purpose of the monitoring programme.

Frequently asked questions about PFAS testing