PFAS: EPA Announces New Strategy to Tackle PFAS

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a new strategy for regulating Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) that makes accountability a top priority. Administrator Lee Zeldin outlined several new actions that will directly affect how businesses handle these "forever chemicals."

For companies, the biggest change is the EPA's commitment to a "polluter pays" model. This approach aims to make PFAS producers and users financially responsible for cleanup, protecting entities like local water utilities from inheriting the costs. Businesses involved in the PFAS supply chain could face major new costs and legal duties.

Businesses should also prepare stricter rules on their operations and reporting requirements. The EPA plans to develop new effluent limitations guidelines (ELGs) for PFAS manufacturers and metal finishers, creating stricter rules for discharging these substances. Additionally, more PFAS will be added to the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI), which will expand reporting duties for many facilities.
Overall, these actions show the EPA is getting much tougher on PFAS. This is a clear signal for businesses to prepare now for tighter regulations and greater enforcement ahead.