Environmental Testing Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Sample (Water Testing, Air Testing, Soil & Sediment Testing, Waste & Sludge Testing and Others), By Test Type (Chemical Testing, Microbiological Testing, Physical Testing, Radiological Testing and Others), By Service (Sampling & Field Services, Laboratory Analysis, Monitoring & Continuous Testing and Consulting & Interpretation), By End User (Government & Municipalities, Industrial & Manufacturing, Energy & Utilities, Construction & Real Estate, Agriculture and Others), Regional Forecast, 2026-2034

The global environmental testing market size was valued at USD 7.61 billion in 2025. The market is projected to grow from USD 8.10 billion in 2026 to USD 12.95 billion by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.04% during the forecast period.

Expansion of regulatory monitoring driven by emerging contaminants (especially PFAS) is a major driver for the market. Across multiple regions, regulators are moving from monitoring a limited set of legacy pollutants toward group-based and ultra-low-limit regulation of emerging contaminants, with PFAS being the most prominent example. Drinking water authorities, environmental protection agencies and chemical regulators are demanding more frequent sampling, additional matrices (such as water, groundwater, soil, and sludge), and more sophisticated analytical methods, including LC-MS/MS (Liquid Chromatography, Tandem Mass Spectrometry) and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Government regulations for environmental testing establish mandatory standards and procedures to monitor, control and mitigate environmental pollution, thereby protecting public health and ecosystems.

• SGS S.A. expanded its environmental testing capabilities in North America in November 2025, by acquiring the APPL laboratory in Clovis, California, from Metiri, including its equipment, LIMS and quality system. This acquisition immediately brought the facility into the SGS network, strengthening PFAS and other environmental analysis capacity across the West and Midwest. The move enhances laboratory testing throughput and geographic reach, supporting clients’ environmental compliance needs.

Eurofins Scientific SE is a leading global provider of environmental testing services, operating an extensive network of accredited laboratories across Europe, North America and the Asia Pacific. The company offers comprehensive testing for water, air, soil, sediment, and waste, with strong capabilities in chemical analysis and the detection of emerging contaminants such as PFAS, supporting regulatory compliance, public monitoring and industrial environmental management programs worldwide.

ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING MARKET TRENDS

Shift from Periodic Sampling to Programmatic, Always-On Environmental Monitoring is a Key Market Trend

A notable trend in the market is the shift from episodic, project-based testing to programmatic and semi-continuous monitoring models, particularly in air and water quality management. Environmental authorities and utilities are increasingly designing monitoring frameworks that emphasize data continuity, trend detection and early warning capabilities, rather than compliance checks at fixed intervals. This is evident in the expansion of national and city-level ambient air quality networks, automated water quality stations at intakes and discharge points and continuous effluent monitoring requirements for extensive industrial facilities. The market, including waste management, focuses on analyzing, monitoring and ensuring safe handling, treatment and disposal of waste to meet environmental and regulatory standards.

While sensors generate real-time data, they do not replace laboratory testing as they increase downstream demand for routine verification, calibration samples, method correlation studies and periodic laboratory confirmation. As a result, laboratories are becoming embedded partners in long-term monitoring programs rather than ad-hoc service providers. This shift alters the revenue profile of environmental testing from irregular, campaign-based work to multi-year contracts with predictable sample volumes, driving environmental testing market growth.

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MARKET DYNAMICS

MARKET DRIVERS

Rising Investment in Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Drives Market Growth

The scale-up of capital investment in water and wastewater infrastructure directly increases mandatory testing requirements during construction, commissioning and operation phases. Public utilities and municipalities are expanding and upgrading treatment plants, distribution networks, reuse systems and desalination facilities to address aging assets, population growth, and climate stress.

For example, the OECD estimates that global water infrastructure investment needs exceed USD 1 trillion per year by 2030 to meet service and resilience requirements, while the U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocates over USD 50 billion specifically for drinking water and wastewater upgrades. Every infrastructure upgrade triggers intensive, non-optional environmental testing, including raw water characterization, process validation testing, discharge compliance, sludge classification and post-commissioning verification.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

High Operational Costs and Skilled Labor Shortages Constrain Laboratory Capacity

A significant restraint on the market is the high operational cost structure and shortage of qualified technical personnel required to deliver reliable, compliant, and timely analytical results. Setting up and maintaining an environmental testing laboratory demands substantial investment in advanced instrumentation (e.g., LC-MS/MS, GC-MS), quality systems, and accredited facilities that meet strict procedural standards. Environmental testing technologies use advanced analytical instruments and digital monitoring systems to accurately detect and measure pollutants in air, water and soil.

The combination of capital expenditure, ongoing calibration and maintenance, and compliance with accreditation requirements creates high fixed and variable costs before any revenue is realized. Similarly, many labs struggle to recruit and retain experienced analysts and technicians capable of executing complex methods and maintaining quality controls under evolving regulatory requirements. Industry practitioners report a tightening labor market where flexible, skilled technicians are increasingly challenging to find and schedule efficiently, forcing laboratories to rethink staffing approaches and workflows.

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Methane Measurement, Verification, and LDAR Programs are Expanding Market Opportunities

An emerging opportunity for the market is rapid build-out of Methane Measurement, Monitoring, Reporting, And Verification (MMRV) and Leak Detection And Repair (LDAR) programs across oil, gas and coal value chains. The urgency is quantifiable as methane is responsible for around 30% of the rise in global temperatures since the Industrial Revolution, and oil and gas operations alone emitted close to 80 million tonnes of methane in 2023 (roughly equivalent to ~120 bcm of natural gas).

In the U.S., the EPA’s final rule for oil and natural gas operations explicitly enables the use of advanced methane detection technologies, such as satellites, aerial surveys and continuous monitors, to identify leaks and “super-emitter” events. This creates a growing demand not only for field detection but also for independent verification testing, method correlation studies and defensible emissions quantification services, which are well-aligned with environmental testing labs and measurement specialists.

MARKET CHALLENGES

Capacity Strain and Data Defensibility Present Significant Challenges for Market Growth

A pressing challenge for environmental testing providers is maintaining turnaround time and defensible data quality while demand shifts toward ultra-trace, interference-prone analyses. In the U.S. alone, the EPA’s PFAS drinking-water rule applies to approximately 66,000 public water systems, and the EPA estimates that compliance actions will cost around USD 1.5 billion annually, a scale that translates into a sustained sampling and analytical workload across labs and field teams.

The technical difficulty is amplified by contamination risk. PFAS are common in field items, and labs often report at single-digit ppt/ng/L levels, so official guidance builds in field reagent blanks (EPA 533/537.1) to prove results were not introduced during sampling, adding cost, time, and QA/QC load per project.

Segmentation Analysis

By Sample

Water Testing Segment Dominates Due to Mandatory, Continuous Compliance Across Drinking and Wastewater Systems

Based on the sample, the market is classified into water testing, air testing, soil & sediment testing, waste & sludge testing, and others.

In 2025, the water testing segment held the largest environmental testing market share. This is due to regulatory, operational, and public health systems that are structurally built around water quality verification, making testing unavoidable, recurring and broad-based. Drinking water standards apply to every public water system, regardless of size, requiring routine compliance monitoring across dozens of parameters and multiple sampling points (source water, treatment stages, distribution networks).

The waste & sludge testing segment is experiencing significant growth and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.12% over the forecast period.

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By Test Type

Chemical Testing Dominated as Regulations Demand Ultra-Trace and Multi-Analyte Compliance

Based on the test types, the market is classified into chemical testing, microbiological testing, physical testing, radiological testing, and others.

In 2025, the chemical testing segment dominated the global market. This is owing to most enforceable environmental regulations are written around specific chemical substances and concentration thresholds, rather than physical or biological indicators alone.

The microbiological testing segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.88% during the forecast period.

By Service

Laboratory Analysis Dominated Due to Regulatory Compliance Rely on Analytical Results that Laboratories Provide

Based on service, the market is classified into sampling & field services, laboratory analysis, monitoring & continuous testing and consulting & interpretation.

In 2025, the laboratory analysis segment dominated the global market. Environmental standards for water, air, soil and waste specify approved test methods, detection limits, quality-control requirements and data validation procedures that must be performed under controlled laboratory conditions. While field screening and sensors are increasingly used for preliminary monitoring, their data are not legally sufficient for permit compliance, enforcement actions or remediation closure. As a result, samples collected in the field ultimately require laboratory confirmation to demonstrate compliance.

The monitoring & continuous testing segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.32% over the forecast period.

By End User

Industrial & Manufacturing Segment Dominated the Market Due to Extensive, Mandatory Multi-Media Compliance Testing

Based on end-user segmentation, the market is classified into government & municipalities, industrial & manufacturing, energy & utilities, construction & real estate, agriculture and others.

In 2025, the industrial & manufacturing segment dominated the global market. Unlike municipalities or agricultural facilities, industrial facilities operate under site-specific permits that require routine emissions monitoring, effluent testing, hazardous waste classification and periodic environmental audits to maintain their operating licenses. Manufacturing plants in sectors such as chemicals, metals, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and energy generate complex waste streams that must be chemically characterized before discharge, transport or disposal, driving high volumes of laboratory analysis.

The energy & utilities segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.38% over the forecast period.

Environmental Testing Market Regional Outlook

By geography, the market is categorized into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

North America

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North America held the dominant share in 2025, valued at USD 2.63 billion, and is also expected to take a leading share in 2026 with USD 2.79 billion.

North America dominates as environmental compliance in the region is structured around enforceable, method-specific monitoring obligations backed by strong enforcement mechanisms. In the U.S. and Canada, environmental laws require routine, documented testing as a condition for operating water utilities, industrial facilities, landfills, and wastewater treatment plants. These requirements are not advisory as they are tied to permits, inspections, penalties, and legal liability, which creates continuous, non-discretionary demand for third-party laboratory testing.

U.S. Environmental Testing Market

Based on North America’s substantial contribution and the U.S. dominance within the region, the U.S. market was at around USD 2.37 billion in 2025, accounting for roughly 31.09% of the global market size.

Europe

Europe is projected to record a growth rate of 6.53% in the coming years, the second-highest among all regions, and reached a valuation of USD 2.27 billion in 2025. Europe’s market is shaped by rigorous and evolving regulatory frameworks that directly expand analytical demand and monitoring intensity. The recast Ambient Air Quality Directive (EU 2024/2881), which enters into force in late 2024, tightens air pollutant limits and requires member states to expand their monitoring networks with more sampling points and stricter assessment methods to achieve cleaner air by 2030 and align with the EU’s zero pollution vision.

Germany Environmental Testing Market

The German market in 2025 reached USD 0.60 billion and is expected to reach USD 0.64 billion in 2026, representing approximately 7.83% of the global Environmental Testing revenues.  

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific was valued at USD 1.92 billion in 2025 and secure the position of third-largest region in the market. The Asia Pacific market is rapidly expanding due to intensifying pollution control efforts, regulatory tightening, and infrastructure build-out across major economies. Countries such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea are strengthening their monitoring and compliance frameworks to address industrial emissions, water contamination, and air quality challenges.

Japan Environmental Testing Market

The Japan market in 2025 was valued at USD 0.18 billion, accounting for roughly 2.38% of global revenues. Japan’s environmental testing demand is driven by mandatory PFOS/PFOA monitoring in drinking water and industrial groundwater near manufacturing clusters.

China Environmental Testing Market

China’s market is projected to be significant worldwide, and was valued at USD 0.69 billion in 2025, representing roughly 9.02% of the global market.

India Environmental Testing Market

The Indian market in 2025 was at USD 0.41 billion, accounting for roughly 5.34% of global revenues.

Latin America

Latin America is expected to witness moderate growth in this market space during the forecast period. The Latin America market reached a valuation of USD 0.44 billion in 2025. Brazil’s product demand is closely tied to industrial licensing and the management of contaminated land, particularly under CONAMA Resolution 420, which mandates the assessment of soil and groundwater for potentially contaminated sites. Mining, oil & gas and agro-industrial operations require routine chemical characterization of effluents and waste to maintain operating permits.

Brazil Environmental Testing Market

Brazil's market reached a value of USD 0.20 billion in 2025, accounting for roughly 2.63% of the global market.

Middle East & Africa

The Middle East & Africa region are expected to witness significant growth in this market space during the forecast period. The Middle East & Africa market reached a valuation of USD 0.35 billion in 2025. The environmental testing demand in the region is rising as air quality monitoring networks expand under initiatives such as the GCC’s joint urban air monitoring framework, which requires frequent analyses of emissions and particulates.

GCC Environmental Testing Market

The GCC market is reached USD 0.13 billion in 2025, accounting for around 1.72% of the global market.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Key Industry Players

Vendors Are Actively Expanding Their Market Share Through Partnerships, Business Expansion, And Technological Advancements

The global environmental testing market holds a fragmented market structure, constituting prominent players such as SGS S.A., Eurofins Scientific SE, Bureau Veritas SA, and others. Companies operating in the industry are adopting targeted growth strategies that focus on strengthening technical capabilities, expanding their manufacturing presence and improving access to high-demand sectors.

• For instance, in January 2025, Bureau Veritas and SGS entered into a merger that would create a global testing and certification giant, reflecting the strategic value placed on combined environmental testing and compliance capabilities.

Other key players in the market include Intertek Group plc, ALS Global, Element Materials Technology, and several other companies. These companies are expected to prioritize new product launches and collaborations to increase their market share during the forecast period.

LIST OF KEY ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING COMPANIES PROFILED:

• SGS S.A. (Switzerland)
• Eurofins Scientific SE (Luxembourg)
• Bureau Veritas SA (France)
• Intertek Group plc (U.K.)
• ALS Global (Australia)
• Element Materials Technology (U.K.)
• EnviroTest Laboratories (U.S.)
• Montrose Environmental Group, Inc. (U.S.)
• Mérieux NutriSciences (U.S.)
• TÜV Rheinland AG (Germany)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

• In September 2025, Intertek Group plc acquired Envirolab Group, an Australian environmental testing and analysis network. The deal enhances Intertek’s capabilities in soil, water, air, PFAS, and emerging contaminant testing in the Asia-Pacific, leveraging Envirolab’s five labs and skilled professionals to meet growing regulatory and sustainability-driven demand.
• In September 2025, Montrose Environmental Group, Inc. had engaged in more than 30 nationwide projects, helping chemical manufacturers prepare for compliance with the EPA’s HON MACT rule. The company provided emissions testing, fenceline monitoring, LDAR, and compliance strategy services, assisting clients with upcoming air toxics rules and strict reporting deadlines.
• In July 2025, Eurofins Scientific SE expanded its environmental monitoring services network across North America, with nine regional sites from the East Coast to Canada supporting air, water, surface, and microbial testing for compliance and facility control programs. This broader accessibility enhances regional responsiveness and technical support for environmental testing clients.
• In June 2025, Mérieux partnered with AsureQuality to officially launch the Mérieux NutriSciences AQ (MNAQ) joint venture, combining capabilities in food, environmental assurance, and sustainability testing across Australia and Southeast Asia to meet the expanding regulatory and quality assurance requirements.
• In February 2025, SGS officially completed the acquisition of RTI Laboratories, extending its accredited environmental testing and PFAS analysis footprint in North America. RTI’s materials testing expertise and federal certifications strengthen SGS’s service offering and expand its Midwest presence with local lab access and courier support, enhancing client capacity for complex environmental analyses.

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