EPA delays data submission date for ‘forever chemicals’ reporting rule

Washington — The Environmental Protection Agency is delaying the data submission period for a final rule requiring manufacturers and importers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to report information on PFAS use, exposures and hazards.

According to a direct final rule published Sept. 5, EPA has pushed the beginning of the submission period to July 11, 2025, because of budgetary constraints. Previously, that period was set to begin Nov. 12 of this year.

EPA previously determined that the rule could impact industries including construction, manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, and waste management and remediation. It covers nearly 1,500 PFAS – also known as “forever chemicals” because they break down slowly over time.

Published this past October and effective the following month, the rule requires anyone who has manufactured or imported PFAS since 2011 to report data that includes:

• The number of people exposed – and reasonable estimates on the number who will be exposed – to each substance or mixture in the workplace, as well as the duration of their exposure
• Descriptions of byproducts resulting from the manufacture, processing, use or disposal of each substance or mixture
• All existing information concerning the environmental and health effects of each substance or mixture

The direct final rule is set to go into effect Nov. 4 if EPA receives no “adverse comment” by Oct. 7.

“Any impact on the regulated community is expected to be beneficial given that the extension provides additional time to submit accurate reports to EPA,” the agency says.