WL Gore & Associates, the company behind the Gore-Tex brand, is reportedly facing a class-action lawsuit alleging that it misled consumers about the environmental impact of its products. Filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, the lawsuit, brought by Hagens Berman law firm, claims that Gore-Tex engaged in “greenwashing” by using terms like “committed to sustainability” and “environmentally sound” while continuing to use harmful PFAS “forever chemicals” in some of its products.
The lawsuit alleges that Gore-Tex failed to disclose that its Gore-Tex fabric releases PFAS into the environment and water supply during both consumer use and manufacturing. It argues that Gore’s public image of environmental responsibility is deceptive because the company continues to produce Gore-Tex fabric using PFAS.
Hagens Berman notes that while Gore-Tex introduced a “PFAS-free” compound for its Gore-Tex membrane in 2021, it still manufactures and sells some fabrics with an ePTFE membrane and a PFAS-based durable water repellent coating. Gore-Tex has committed to replacing all ePTFE with ePE by autumn 2025, but this means that only its “next generation” products will be completely PFAS-free, while existing products will continue to use the older, PFAS-based treatment.
The law firm contends that Gore-Tex was aware of the negative environmental effects of PFAS exposure, yet “repeatedly doubled down on its misinformation.” The lawsuit claims that Gore-Tex has recently asserted that its products, even those containing PFAS, are “non-toxic and safe for the user” and pose no environmental threat.
