EPA Announces Interagency Review of Two Actions under PFAS Action Plan

On September 25, 2019, EPA announced two steps they are taking to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as part of the agency's PFAS Action Plan. Both actions must first go to the Office of Management and Budget for interagency review.

The first action is an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking to provide for public input on adding PFAS to the Toxic Release Inventory toxic chemical list. The second action is a supplemental proposal to require that certain persistent long-chain PFAS chemicals being imported into the United States must first notify and go through review by EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). EPA has the authority to deny significant new use requests under TSCA.

EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler said, “These actions are intended to provide the public with more information on PFAS in the environment and to ensure that EPA receives notice of any plan to import certain persistent long-chain PFAS into the country, further protecting all Americans.”