EPA to Regulate PFAS

On Monday, Environmental Protection Agency Director Michael Regan announced a strategy to drastically regulate and ultimately attempt to mitigate contamination from PFAS (Per-and Polyflyoroalkyl Substances). PFAS, also called “forever chemicals,” are extraordinarily durable and don’t break down easily. The EPA plans to issue regulations to set limits for public water supplies, with a final rule expected to be enacted around the fall of 2023. PFOA and PFOS will likely be designated as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), which is also known as the Superfund law. 
The ABI Board of Directors has approved a new policy position to address the topic of emerging chemical regulation. ABI encourages new government programs mandating monitoring and/or remediation to not impose retroactive liability on those using (PFAs or other chemicals and compounds) in compliance with existing laws, rules and regulations. ABI will monitor this issue closely and share any developments in the newsletter.