The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed changes to its per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) reporting rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to make compliance more practical and less costly for manufacturers and importers.
Announced on November 10, 2025, the proposal would modify the 2023 PFAS reporting regulation to reduce unnecessary or duplicative data submissions while preserving the agency’s ability to gather key information about PFAS use and potential environmental and health effects.
The revision supports EPA’s broader efforts to simplify reporting requirements and improve regulatory efficiency.
EPA administrator Lee Zeldin said the proposed changes are intended to make PFAS reporting more practical for industry. “Today’s proposal is grounded in commonsense and the law, allowing us to collect the information we need to help combat PFAS contamination without placing unnecessary requirements on manufacturers, especially the small businesses that drive our country’s economy,” he said.
Key proposed exemptions and updates
EPA’s proposal would maintain core PFAS reporting obligations but exempt activities that are least likely to yield meaningful data or that manufacturers cannot reasonably determine. The proposed exemptions include:
- PFAS manufactured or imported in mixtures or products at concentrations of 0.1 percent or lower
- Imported articles
- Certain byproducts
- Impurities
- Research and development chemicals
- Non-isolated intermediates
The agency also plans to make technical corrections to clarify data requirements and adjust the reporting period to improve efficiency and accuracy.
What this means for laboratories
Laboratories that manufacture, formulate, or import PFAS-containing substances—particularly those in analytical testing, materials science, or product development—could see reduced administrative and cost burdens if these changes are finalized. Exemptions for R&D chemicals and impurities are especially relevant for labs that handle trace PFAS or conduct early-stage feasibility work, where detailed data collection has been difficult under the current rule.
While the proposal would lessen reporting obligations, lab managers should continue to track PFAS inventories and maintain strong recordkeeping practices. EPA’s focus on PFAS data quality and transparency is expected to remain a long-term priority, even with streamlined reporting.
Next steps and public comment period
Upon publication in the Federal Register, EPA will open a 45-day public comment period under docket #EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0549 at www.regulations.gov. A prepublication version of the proposal is available on the EPA website.
Laboratories involved in PFAS manufacturing or import activities are encouraged to review the proposal carefully, evaluate potential impacts on reporting workflows, and consider submitting comments to help ensure the final rule reflects practical realities in scientific and industrial operations.
This article was created with the assistance of Generative AI and has undergone editorial review before publishing.
