Dick's Sporting Goods Bans Forever Chemicals in Clothing

Takeaway: When this step was announced, a nationwide retailer launched a plan to phase out toxic fluorinated substances in garment finishing and fabrics across the production network. The disclosure is published and sets milestones by 2026, with california leading the pilot and decatur testing as a proof point.

The program centers on replacing PFAS with safer finishes and alternatives; early tests will be conducted in decatur to gauge performance and durability, before the national rollout. Mindful of environmental protection goals, the brand aligns with california standards and with industry peers such as amazon that have published similar commitments.

The published plan contains a clear list of restricted formulations, and a step approach with a timeline, plus a framework for third-party validation. By 2025, market tests in decatur will inform broader deployment, with a nationwide adoption by 2026 and ongoing updates to the public record. This is a visible step toward safer materials and improved planetary protection.

For readers and practitioners, the following actions are recommended: scrutinize the published list, request supplier evidence of substitutions, require routine environmental risk assessments, publish progress, and mirror the approach in other markets to advance planetary protection and worker safety.

Scope of ban: which PFAS chemistries are banned and in which product categories

Recommendation: implement a pfas-free standard across the entire garment and gear lineup, prohibiting long-chain PFAS such as PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, PFDA, PFUnA in finishing formulations. The contained chemistries historically appeared in protective coatings and water-repellent finishes used in production. A review ahead of the next season should ensure that no PFAS-based additives enter the range, with pfas-free status required across all items. Notices published by Patagonia, including a letter circulated to industry players, have appeared, signaling a shift; time remains for suppliers to align, while leadership expects persistent progress. Others followed suit, and the environmental community has continued to push for stricter controls.

Scope by category includes outerwear, rain gear, insulated shells, base layers, gloves, footwear uppers, bags, and other gear. The restriction applies to finishing treatments and coatings, with testing and certificates required to confirm pfas-free status for each lot. Catalog images and online listings should clearly reflect the absence of PFAS in finishes. Through the supplier network, the transition will proceed without backsliding; historically, many items relied on PFAS-enabled finishes, while time has pushed several companies to adopt elimination; increased collaboration with environmental teams and other brands has risen, and some firms have increased their own efforts.

Implementation notes: a formal compliance letter to partner factories and mills will set requirements; testing through accredited labs is required, with reis guidelines to verify results. A published timeline accompanies the rollout, with notices to enter the program and quarterly reviews. By the next season, new lines must be pfas-free, and by the end of the second production cycle all existing lines should meet the standard. Images on product pages will be updated to reflect status; work with vendors continues to expand the pfas-free footprint, with input from like-minded firms and time for adjustments to internal processes. Environmental teams have increased oversight, and the effort will persist through supplier engagement and continuous improvement.

Implementation timeline: milestones for suppliers and in-house brands

Begin with a 12-month phasing plan, prioritizing own-brand textiles and the most critical external partners, and attach a timeline with explicit pfas disclosure milestones.

Milestones for own-brand textiles

Month 0–3: complete baseline pfas usage assessment for all textiles, verify stain-resistant and water-repellent finishes, deliver initial disclosure to internal governance, and align with external benchmarks such as Patagonia’s publicly announced commitments. Use test results to identify most-at-risk items and record ones where pfas-free alternatives exist.

Month 4–6: expand testing to the top ten textiles in the own-brand range, deliver pfas reduction data, and finalize reformulations for raincoats and other outerwear where finishes add resistance; begin phasing out the most persistent compounds; initiate broader disclosure updates and incorporate PIRG commentary while drawing on feedback from internal teams and external labs.

Month 7–12: complete PFAS-free status for the majority of textiles, deliver third-party test certificates, and launched a public-facing environmental data dashboard for own-brand lines. Ensure all new products use safer alternatives under capped limits and publish a final report to stakeholders; incorporate feedback from customers and retailers to further reduce pfas exposure and environmental impact.

Milestones for external partners and disclosure governance

Month 0–3: demand pfas disclosures from suppliers and tier-1 collaborators, set testing cadence, and require baseline data on water usage, focusing on textiles finishing steps that may pose exposure; benchmark against Patagonia’s and PIRG transparency guidelines; collect feedback from the buying team to identify critical uses, such as raincoats and stain-resistant fabrics.

Month 4–6: implement phasing with suppliers that cap PFAS levels and require transparency disclosures; deliver initial supplier performance metrics; track ones not meeting targets and work on safer alternatives; require regular updates with announced milestones; ensure customers begin to see progress in the next season’s ranges.

Month 7–12: complete alignment with the full vendor base, secure mutual PFAS reduction targets, and deliver a consolidated disclosure dossier for external oversight bodies; launch joint improvement programs, publish quarterly updates, and invite third-party audits to verify results; document lessons learned and report them to the corporate audience, including updates on water and textiles strategies; address regional labeling like reis where applicable to avoid misinterpretation of marketed safety claims. Also avoid health claims tied to nutrition terms such as breast or cholesterol; rely on independent PFAS testing and third-party verification.

Compliance verification: testing methods, audits, and documentation requirements

Implement a risk-based testing regime prioritizing items with direct consumer contact and high-exposure uses, and pair it with annual third-party audits to verify controls across the vendor network.

Testing methods should include a validated pfas panel for materials used in footwear and related apparel, including substrates, coatings, and packaging; apply LC-MS/MS or GC-MS as appropriate; document validation, recovery, detection limits, QA/QC, and reporting formats; after testing, upload results to a centralized records system with time-stamped signatures.

Audits should be annual and cover high-risk facilities such as finishing, coating, and grease-proofing steps; perform on-site checks of process controls, review supplier declarations, and verify documentation for key substances; require corrective actions with clear deadlines if PFAS exceeding target levels or misstatements are found; California-specific findings should trigger additional review.

Documentation requirements: maintain a living dossier per facility detailing PFAS-free substantiation, test reports, material declarations, packaging notices, and process-change records; require signatures from responsible managers; keep records of conversations with chemours and other suppliers; ensure after-action reporting.

Engage accredited third-party labs and require proficiency testing; after each shipment, generate a report with a unique sample ID, lot reference, and time; ensure accessible data for internal and external audits; require the documentation trail to include method SOPs, calibration records, and QA approvals.

Packaging and coating decisions should align with sustainable goals and target reductions in pfas; in California, track consumer-facing labels and ensure that packaging does not misrepresent PFAS status; require annual updates to substantiation, including notes on consumer protection and taking into account drinking-water exposure.

Impact on customers: labeling changes, product availability, and price considerations

Recommendation: implement standardized, consumer-facing tags at purchase points that signal PFAS-free status and the phase of substitution ahead of the nationwide rollout.

Labeling changes

Standardized tags on jackets, footwear, and other lines appear with two lines: a clear status (PFAS-free) and the category of the phase, called out on hangtags, shelf labels, and product pages. Use epas guidance to frame the language and protect water quality.
Product pages and in-store signage present a concise symbol and a one-sentence note to reduce confusion for fashion-focused shoppers who pose questions about uses and finishes.
Labels indicate timelines: ahead of each phase, delivery estimates are shown so customers know when items were launched and when similar items will convert.
Staff training emphasizes protection measures and how to answer questions about where contained substances were previously used, though the goal is elimination across the catalog.

Product availability

Across categories such as jackets and footwear, suppliers are converting finishes to safer alternatives and delivering goods under a national plan, ensuring no large gaps in stock were created.
In‑market assortments align with similar programs launched by peers, keeping a steady supply ahead of the March target and across seasonal collections.
Manufacturing shifts are tracked weekly, with actions logged to prevent polluted residues from reappearing in water and to protect communities near facilities.
Catalog coverage remains broad: other categories remain available while the conversion progresses, and consumers can compare items by status to minimize wait time.

Price considerations

Cost implications for converting finishes and reformulating processes are reflected in small, gradual increases, but plans include bulk purchasing across the network to keep prices competitive.
Plans to offset cost pressure include negotiating with suppliers on volume discounts and accelerating efficiency improvements in manufacturing across facilities.
Nationwide labeling and the corresponding supply adjustments are delivered with minimal disruption to time-to-shelf, helping keep the overall price point free from sudden spikes for customers.
Certain items may be placed in promotions to mitigate impact, while others–where the protection of water and ecosystems is strongest–remain priced to reflect value and durable performance.

Additional considerations

Customers and communities benefit from transparency about the phase, the phase-out progress, and the measurable impact on pollution reduction–marching toward cleaner manufacturing over the years.
The director of sustainability notes that actions will continue to evolve, with ongoing monitoring and public updates to maintain trust and accountability.
As products move through the convert cycle, consumers can expect similar results across different lines, with delivered data shown on receipts and product details.
From the consumer’s perspective, the transition reduces risk, increases protection, and supports healthier fashion ecosystems for polluted communities across the nation.

REI’s PFAS ban in textiles: scope, timelines, and expected outcomes

Begin by mapping the supplier network across product lines and set a concrete 24-month step-out target for PFAS across textiles; require full disclosure of all treatments and replacements; align with health and environmental goals to protect communities and workers. This approach creates accountability with those who manufacture, test, or finish fabric across the portfolio.

Scope includes finished textile items, trims, packaging, plus finishes applied at the facility level; includes multiple materials and recycled content; for health and environmental reasons, this covers all treatments and coatings used by the supplier network; for ones within the network, theyre expected to shift to fluorine-free options where possible; such actions are consistent with industry peers like Patagonia and other brands across the environmental movement.

Timelines began with a pilot in 2023 and a formal rollout across products in 2024; a phased plan targets complete conversion within two years; quarterly milestones at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months keep progress transparent; reports should include data on wastewater, soil, and product-level treatments to demonstrate progress.

Expected outcomes include reduced persistence of toxic substances in the environment and in communities; lower exposure risks for health of workers and customers; greater clarity for consumers through transparent labeling of product treatments; supplier engagement improves, reducing risk over years; forward-looking actions create a more resilient environmental program that benefits across markets.

Key recommendations to accelerate value: require supplier testing and third-party verification; invest in on-site facility upgrades such as wastewater treatment; implement fluorine-free treatments and processing steps; build a shared knowledge base with partners; leverage marketing to educate customers about environmental benefits; set a target to eliminate PFAS from newly launched products; measure progress using clear metrics and public reporting across the production network.

Aspect	Details
Scope	Includes finished textile items, trims, packaging, and finishes at the facility level; covers multiple materials and recycled content across the supplier network.
Timelines	Pilot began 2023; full policy launched 2024; 24-month phase-out with milestones at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months.
Expected outcomes	Lower PFAS persistence in environments; improved health indicators for communities and workers; greater product transparency; stronger supplier collaboration.
Metrics	Number of compliant facilities; PFAS levels in effluents; percentage of textiles with fluorine-free treatments; time-to-compliance.

Dick’s Sporting Goods Bans Forever Chemicals in Its Clothing Supply Chain