The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced new regulations on December 3 that will prevent PFAS, commonly known as forever chemicals, from being approved quickly without thorough review. PFAS are a group of chemicals used in many products, such as cookware and firefighting foam, known for their resistance to breaking down and for being linked to severe health issues like cancer, kidney problems, and reduced fertility.
The new rule no longer allows PFAS to qualify for the Low Volume Exemptions, which enabled certain chemicals to avoid full safety reviews if produced in small amounts. This exemption previously applied to over 600 PFAS compounds.
With these updated regulations, manufacturers must now provide detailed information about the use, exposure potential, and health effects of PFAS before they can obtain approval. Additionally, the rule enhances the EPA’s oversight of chemicals deemed persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic, ensuring stricter controls on harmful substances.
These changes are part of the EPA’s efforts to improve its chemical review process following the 2016 amendments to the Toxic Substances Control Act, which mandates comprehensive risk assessments for new chemicals prior to market entry. The new rule will be effective 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register.
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