Shop Pela Case Phone Covers for Eco-Friendly Protection
Lower concern. Brand claims PFAS-free with MADE SAFE certification.
Pela makes phone cases from plant-based bioplastics and recycled ocean plastic. The brand holds MADE SAFE certification and publicly commits to PFAS-free formulation.
Brand says: “Pela cases are PFAS-free and made from plant-based materials. We are certified MADE SAFE.”
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
plant-based bioplastic, recycled ocean plastic
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Shop Pela Case Phone Covers Protection is made of, ingredients and materials
Pela cases are made from plant-based bioplastic derived from flax shives and other renewable sources, blended with recycled ocean plastic. This material avoids conventional petroleum-derived plastics like polycarbonate or polystyrene. The blend is designed to be both durable for impact protection and compostable at end-of-life under industrial conditions, though consumer backyard composting will not fully break it down.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Plant-based bioplastics may retain minor VOCs from processing or resin curing. At room temperature, risk is low; heat or prolonged direct sunlight could increase off-gassing rates. No published VOC testing data is available for Pela cases specifically.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastics
Recycled ocean plastic and plant-based bioplastic blends may shed fine particles over extended use, especially if scratched or bent repeatedly. Direct contact with food or drinking water is unlikely with a phone case, but particle migration should be considered if the case is placed near food preparation areas.
Source, EPA ↗What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Third-party PFAS-free verification
A third party reports verifying this product as PFAS-free.
Phthalates
Plant-based bioplastic formulation does not typically employ phthalate plasticizers; no testing records or reports of phthalate presence in Pela cases have been published.
Source, ATSDR ↗BPA & bisphenols
Flax-derived and ocean plastic blends are not reported to use bisphenol A or bisphenol S as monomers. No recalls or safety alerts related to BPA/BPS leaching have been documented for this product.
Source, FDA ↗Colorant or dye toxicity
Pela cases are available in multiple colors, but the brand does not publicly disclose colorant chemistry or testing for heavy metals in pigments. No complaints or recalls involving dye leaching or toxicity have been reported.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Pela has publicly committed to PFAS-free manufacturing and holds MADE SAFE certification, an independent third-party standard. The brand publishes material sourcing details and has no documented recalls or safety violations on record for its phone cases. Their transparency on material composition and certifications is above average for the eco-packaging segment.
How it compares in its category
Plant-based bioplastic cases are less common than silicone, polycarbonate, or traditional rubber cases. Compared to conventional hard plastics, Pela avoids phthalate concerns and petrochemical processing. Compared to silicone cases, plant-based options carry no known thermal off-gassing risk at normal use temperatures. The trade-off is that durability and drop-protection claims are not independently lab-tested in public records, though user feedback has been generally favorable.
If you buy it
Keep the case away from sustained heat above 60 degrees Celsius; prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or hot car interiors may degrade the material faster than conventional hard cases. Inspect regularly for cracks or peeling edges, as any exposed seams could allow moisture to reach the phone. The case is not fully waterproof; it provides splash resistance only. Clean with warm soapy water and dry thoroughly; do not use abrasive cleaners or submerge for extended periods.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 75% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Pela has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More waterproof phone cases grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.