Common PFAS Challenges

 

- Increasing sample volumes 
- Stricter detection limits 
- Complex wastewater and sludge matrices 
- Manual sample preparation bottlenecks 
- Evolving PFAS regulations

How Velaris Helps

 

- High-throughput via automation 
- Reliable trace-level analysis 
- Solution for complex matrix + experts for advice 
- Automation cut manual workload significantly  
- Up-to-date compliance-ready solutions

PFAS Regulations are Tightening Worldwide


  • EU Drinking Water Directive: 0.1 ug/L for sum 20 PFAS (2026)
  • Germany and Nordics: Stricter national limits
  • Growing requirement for wastewater and sludge

  • EU Urban Waste Water Directive 2024/3019 is expanding
  • US EPA National primary drinking water regulation (2024) - ppt level limits
  • Canada guidline: 30 ng/L (sum of 25 PFAS)
Roel Kwanten

Expert Insight: What Tightening PFAS Regulations mean for your Lab

Roel Kwanten, Water Quality Specialist, Rijkswaterstaat (NL)

PFAS monitoring is becoming more demanding, with stricter limits, broader compound lists, and increasing testing pressure. We spoke with Roel Kwanten from Rijkswaterstaat about regulatory trends and the growing impact on laboratories.

The Right Analytical Workflow for Every PFAS Water Regulation

 Laboratories need a robust analytical workflow to quantify known PFAS and screen for unknown PFAS across a wide range of aqueous matrices. Velaris automated workflows are built to handle even the most complex samples while maintaining high throughput, enabling laboratories to achieve accurate, reliable, and efficient PFAS analysis. 

 
Drinking Water
Example of Regulations

EU Water Framework Directive (2020/2184).Sum of 20 PFAS: 0.1 μg/L

US EPA NPDWR (2024) 4-10 ppt for individual PFAS

Other countries have national limits

Relevant Analytical Methods

DIN 38407-42; EN 17892; ISO 21675; EPA533; EPA537; EPA 1621; etc. 

Workflow to use

SPE for targeted PFAS + AOF/EOF for total fluorine screening

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Surface Water & Groundwater
Example of Regulations

EU Water Framework Directive (EC) No2000/60

Various national environmental quality standards


Relevant Analytical Methods

DIN 38407-42; EN 17892; ISO 21675; EPA 1633;etc.

Workflow to use

SPE for targeted PFAS + AOF/EOF for broader contamination screening

 

pfas001 (5)
 
Wastewater & Sludge
Example of Regulations

EU Urban Wastewater Directive (EU) 2024/3019

National Wastewater Discharge Limits

 

Relevant Analytical Methods

EPA 1633; etc

Workflow to use

Broad contamination monitoring, complex matrix PFAS

AOF by combustion

EOF where applicable SPE for targeted PFAS

 

pfas001 (1)

Multiple Workflows, Complete Coverage, High Throughput Automation

Combine SPE, EOF, and AOF workflows to efficiently meet PFAS regulations, increase throughput, and ensure trace-level analysis. 

SPE & EOF Workflow

Common automated sample preparation solutions, including extraction/cleanup and evaporation steps, can be used for both target PFAS analysis and EOF screening.

PFAS workflow graphic 1
SPE-03

The SPE-03 automated SPE system processes up to 8 samples in parallel, with flexible bottle mounting for sample volumes from 0.5 to 4000 mL, built for high-throughput extraction across complex matrices.

High Capacity Inline Filter (F-HC-30)

A high-capacity inline filter designed to remove both fine and large particulates. Suitable for processing up to 1 L of drinking water, surface water, or wastewater. 


 

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Aquaris PFAS Cartridges

PFAS-specific SPE cartridges optimised for seamless integration with SPE03 automation. Designed to provide robust PFAS enrichment, cleanup, and recovery while supporting compliance with major regulatory methods and standards

Anti-Clogging Cartridge Frits (CF-06 or CF-03)

Multi-layer frits are installed on top of the SPE cartridge, before extraction, to reduce the likelihood of cartridge clogging when processing challenging matrices.

 

 

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D-EVA

The vacuum concentrator D-EVA allows unattended, parallel and rapid concentration of up to 53 PFAS samples with automatic stop at a defined end-volume between (e.g. 500-900 ul). The quantitative transfer into a GC vial is possible without time-consuming rinsing of the sample vessel.







 

 

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Xprep C-IC

Combustion unit connected to Ion Chromatography. Pyrohydrolitic combustion of the extracted liquid containing PFAS. The formed HF is absorbed with UPW in a fraction vial. These negatively charged ions, will be injected and separated in the IC column.





 

 

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AOF Workflow

AOF (Adsorbable Organic Fluorine) analysis for PFAS screening.

workflow4

Xprep-A6

Autosampler designed for accurate, rapid and easy sample preparation of samples that require sample pretreatment for AOX/TOX and AOF analyses according to the column method (EPA 1621).

The water samples automatically pass through the columns, where organically bound halogens were adsorbed onto microcolumns filled with activated carbon.

The Xprep-A6 serves as a stand-alone system for preparing samples for AOF analyses, which can be carried out by the Xprep C-IC.

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Xprep C-IC

These microcolumns were then placed into the Tuscan autosampler, which introduced them into the Xprep C-IC sample boat.

The activated carbon is combusted in an oxygen-rich environment at high temperature. After combustion, the output gas stream containing the analytes is transferred to the Fraction Collection Unit and trapped in the absorber solution.

No additional autosampler is required, as the fraction collection unit of the Xprep C-IC also functions as an autosampler for the IC. It allows the collection and storage of up to 65 combusted samples.

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Join our PFAS Webinars

Automated SPE Sample Preparation for PFAS & Ultra-Short-Chain PFAS in Aqueous Matrices

From high-throughput extraction and anti-clogging strategies to up-concentration and LC-MS/MS analysis

July 14th at 2:00 PM (CET)

Register for free

Fast Screening of PFAS in Aqueous Sample Matrices using Combustion Ion Chromatography

Automated screening technique for Adsorbable Organic Fluorine (AOF) and Extractable Organic Fluorine (EOF) with the Xprep C-IC

August 25th at 2:00 PM (CET)

Coming soon

Automate Your Lab to Meet Growing Demands

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