The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Apr. 15 that it will delay the start of the reporting period for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Section 8(a)(7). The new start date is set for Jan. 31, 2027, or potentially earlier if a forthcoming final rule on substantive requirements takes effect before then.
This change matters because it affects companies that have manufactured or imported PFAS-containing chemical substances, mixtures, or articles for commercial purposes since 2011. The reporting requirement aims to increase oversight of PFAS, which are widely used chemicals known for their persistence in the environment.
The original PFAS reporting period was scheduled to begin on Nov. 12, 2024. However, according to Chelsea Anderson, Senior Regulatory Specialist at UL Solutions, this deadline has been postponed several times as the EPA reviews public comments and considers changes to exemptions and other aspects of the rule. These proposed changes include exemptions for certain low-concentration mixtures or products, imported articles, byproducts, impurities, research and development chemicals, and non-isolated intermediates.
The most recent final rule published on Apr. 13 states: “the submission period for the PFAS Reporting Rule will begin on January 31, 2027 or sixty days following the effective date of a forthcoming final rule on the substantiative requirements of the PFAS Reporting Rule whichever is earlier.” The EPA also expects to finalize another future rule that may replace this fallback start date altogether.
These developments reflect ongoing efforts by regulators and industry stakeholders to balance thorough chemical oversight with practical compliance timelines.
