All Knowledge & Insights By Date

The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) announced  on August 5, 2024, that its Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Products Program has developed new concept draft language to implement the recently amended Title 38, Section 1614, the section addressing PFAS in products. MDEP has made the concept draft language available for an informal outreach process until August 30, 2024. After the informal outreach process, MDEP plans to proceed with rulemaking in fall 2024....

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on July 11, 2024, that it granted a petition filed under Section 21 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) requesting that EPA establish regulations under TSCA Section 6 prohibiting the manufacturing, processing, use, distribution in commerce, and disposal of three per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) formed during the fluorination of plastic containers. EPA “will promptly commence an appropriate proceeding under TSCA Section...

On May 8, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP) held a webinar on “Reducing PFAS in Products: Progress and Challenges.” The webinar was the third in EPA’s series on “Pollution Prevention in Action.” Jennie Romer, EPA Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pollution Prevention, hosts webinars featuring businesses, Pollution Prevention grantees, and other experts about innovations and successes in implementing...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued on April 26, 2024, the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for six per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). 89 Fed. Reg. 32532. The NPDWR establishes Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) for six PFAS in drinking water: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) as contaminants...

The May 2, 2024, ECHA Weekly includes an item on the June 3-6, 2024, meeting of the European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) and June 4-7, 2024, meeting of ECHA’s Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC). ECHA states that the plenary meetings will address the following topics concerning the universal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances  (PFAS) restriction proposal: ECHA notes that additionally, RAC and SEAC will discuss pending issues from the previous...

On April 15, 2024, Germany’s Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) REACH-CLP-Biozid Helpdesk published an item entitled “Dossier Submitter’s ongoing role in the PFAS restriction proposal.” While the European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) evaluate the restriction proposal, the five national authorities that prepared the proposal (the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway) are...

On April 19, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule that will designate perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and their salts and structural isomers as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). EPA states that under the rule, entities are required to report immediately releases of PFOA and PFOS that meet or exceed the reportable quantity (RQ) of one pound within...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on March 25, 2024, that it has issued the fourth Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) test order requiring testing on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under its National PFAS Testing Strategy. According to EPA, the action requires the 3M Company (3M) and Wacker Chemical Corporation (Wacker) to conduct and submit testing on the physical-chemical properties of 2-(N-Methylperfluoro-1-octanesulfonamido)ethanol (NMeFOSE) (Chemical...

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) issued a press release on March 13, 2024, to outline how the Scientific Committees for Risk Assessment (RAC) and for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) will progress in evaluating the proposal to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Europe. As reported in our February 13, 2023, memorandum, the national authorities of Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden submitted a proposal to restrict more than 10,000 PFAS under the...

On February 15, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the release of a new methodology for detecting 32 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) containers. According to EPA, the method can accurately identify PFAS contamination at levels as low as 0.002 parts per billion (ppb) (or 2 parts per trillion (ppt)). EPA states that in releasing this method to the public, it “is enabling the industries that utilize HDPE containers,...