Processed Chlorine Free

The Processed Chlorine Free (PCF) certification, administered by the Chlorine Free Products Association (CFPA), is designed for manufacturers who want to demonstrate that their products have been produced without the use of chlorine chemistry in processing. It is relevant across industries such as agriculture and manufacturing, and is recognized in markets spanning North America, Europe, and beyond.

To earn PCF certification, manufacturers undergo a thorough audit that evaluates the full supply chain, including chain of custody for all raw materials. The audit also assesses a facility's environmental performance across several dimensions, including water and energy consumption, chemical inputs, carbon emissions, and compliance with environmental permits and policies. Ethical management practices, financial stewardship, product responsibility, public transparency, and employee recognition programs are also reviewed. Audit results are scored against a Sustainability Index, which ranks performance on a scale up to 1,350 points.

Certified products may carry either the PCF (Processed Chlorine Free) or TCF (Totally Chlorine Free) trademark, depending on the degree to which chlorine chemistry has been eliminated. The CFPA operates independently and holds no financial interest in any of the manufacturers or companies it certifies, lending credibility to the certification's objectivity.