EPA Positioned To Release Proposed Rule Designating PFOA and PFOS as Hazardous Substances Under CERCLA

EPA first signaled its intent to designate perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) with an advance notice of public rulemaking published in January 2021, prior to the Strategic Roadmap released later that year. The completion of the OMB review means that EPA will soon be positioned to officially and publicly release the proposed rule. However, OMB’s review of the proposal identified it as “economically significant,” a designation different than that posited by EPA and which will require EPA to complete a regulatory impact analysis (RIA). An RIA is required by Executive Order with respect to regulatory actions expected to result in an economic impact of $100 million or more. Once published in the Federal Register, the public will have the opportunity to comment on the rule. Under the Biden Administration’s Unified Agenda, a final rule is expected to be issued in August 2023. 

 
The designation of PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA will have significant implications for a broad range of industry members with respect to both potential reporting requirements and potential remedial liabilities. Our team is keeping close watch on the expected proposed rule and will release another announcement once it is publicly released. For any questions related to the expected proposed rule, please reach out to a member of the Firm’s environmental group.