Industry trade groups, including NAUMD, sent a letter to members of the U.S. House of Representatives voicing concern over a provision in FY 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would institute a DOD procurement ban on various articles, including footwear, clothing, and textile equipment, treated with PFA
The procurement ban will deny the U.S. military the advanced textile materials and footwear demanded by twenty-first century troops. In textile applications, PFAS impart various performance enhancing characteristics such as strength, durability, heat-resistance, stability, oil and water repellency, and enhanced cleanability.
While the industry is working to identify alternatives that will enable a science-based phase out of PFAS substances while still protecting users, there are no credible substitutes for these chemistries. Thus, a decision to ban these PFAS chemistries in defense procurement will have an adverse impact on materials supplied to the U.S. warfighter. Read the letter
