The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) began a public consultation on July 30, 2025, on a proposed amendment to Chapter 90: Products Containing Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). The proposed amendment would add two designations for currently unavoidable uses (CUU) of intentionally added PFAS in cleaning products subject to sales prohibition beginning January 1, 2026. According to the fact sheet, MDEP “held discussions with the Minnesota Pollution Control...
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As reported in our April 11, 2025, blog item, applications for currently unavoidable use determinations for products containing intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and scheduled to be prohibited in Maine on January 1, 2026, were due June 1, 2025. The agenda for the July 17, 2025, meeting of the Maine Board of Environmental Protection (MBEP) includes a proposed amendment to Chapter 90: Products Containing PFAS. According to the Maine Department of...
May 7, 2025
Maine Updates PFAS in Products Web Page, Includes Instructions for Submitting a CUU Proposal
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) updated its web page on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in products on May 2, 2025. The updated page includes links to the April 2025 final rule on products containing PFAS, instructions for submitting a currently unavoidable use (CUU) proposal, and frequently asked questions (FAQ). The FAQs address several questions related to CUU determinations, including: Does my product sold in Maine qualify for a CUU determination? How and...
As reported in our April 1, 2025, blog item, the Maine Board of Environmental Protection (MBEP) was scheduled to consider the Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s (MDEP) December 2024 proposed rule regarding products containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during its April 7, 2025, meeting. As reported in our December 31, 2024, memorandum, on December 20, 2024, MDEP published a proposed rule that would establish criteria for currently unavoidable uses (CUU) of...
April 1, 2025
Maine Board of Environmental Protection Will Consider Proposed PFAS Rule at Its April 7, 2025, Meeting
The Maine Board of Environmental Protection (MBEP) will consider the Maine Department of Environmental Protection’s (MDEP) December 2024 proposed rule regarding products containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during its April 7, 2025, meeting. As reported in our December 31, 2024, memorandum, on December 20, 2024, MDEP published a proposed rule that would establish criteria for currently unavoidable uses (CUU) of intentionally added PFAS in products and implement sales...
In 2021, Maine enacted “An Act To Stop Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Pollution.” Under the statute, beginning January 1, 2030, any product containing intentionally added PFAS may not be sold in Maine unless the use of PFAS in the product is specifically designated as a currently unavoidable use (CUU) by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP). According to MDEP’s website, CUU determinations must be made through major substantive rulemaking, meaning that...
The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) has updated its frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in products to reflect LD 217, “An Act to Support Manufacturers Whose Products Contain Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances” (Act). MDEP states that the Act has extended the implementation date for product reporting, requiring manufacturers of products with intentionally added PFAS to report the intentionally added...
Governor Janet Mills (D) has signed LD 217, “An Act to Support Manufacturers Whose Products Contain Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances” (Act). Passed by the House on June 1, 2023, and the Senate on June 6, 2023, the bill postpones the January 1, 2023, reporting requirement for products and product components containing intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). As reported in our February 17, 2023, memorandum, the Maine Department of Environmental...
September 30, 2022
PFAS Reporting Will Take Effect in Maine on January 1, 2023, Unless an Extension Is Obtained
Maine enacted “An Act To Stop Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Pollution” in July 2021. Under the bill, manufacturers of products with intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) must report the presence of the intentionally added PFAS in those products to the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MDEP) beginning January 1, 2023. The law also prohibits the sale of carpets or rugs, as well as the sale of fabric treatments, that contain...