All Knowledge & Insights By Date

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) held a webinar on February 26, 2026, on its currently unavoidable use (CUU) rule concepts. Under Minnesota’s per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) statute, beginning January 1, 2032, intentionally added PFAS in almost all products will be prohibited in Minnesota unless MPCA issues a CUU determination for the use of the PFAS. MPCA has posted a recording of the webinar, presentation slides, and a summary of the draft rule concepts. Comments on...

This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with my colleagues, Carla N. Hutton, Senior Regulatory Analyst for B&C, and Lindsay A. Holden, Ph.D., DABT, Senior Toxicologist/Regulatory Scientist for B&C and The Acta Group (Acta®), our consulting affiliate. We discuss the relentless pace of state per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) regulations. For those expecting a slowdown, think again. Perhaps in response to perceived inaction at the federal level, over half the states are...

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced on February 28, 2026, that it has updated the online system for reporting products containing intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the PFAS Reporting and Information System for Manufacturers (PRISM). Manufacturers or their representatives will use PRISM to report on intentionally added PFAS in products sold in Minnesota by July 1, 2026. According to MPCA’s website, PRISM 1.1 includes: Additional chemicals; Open...

The California Department of Toxic Substances Control (CDTSC) released on February 25, 2026, a draft Product-Chemical Profile for Floor Maintenance Products Containing Perfluoroalkyl or Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) (draft Profile) for public comment. The draft Profile states that PFAS “are a large class of manufactured chemicals with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom.” The draft Profile notes that all PFAS are Candidate Chemicals under the Safer Consumer Products (SCP) Program...

Before the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board (NMEIB) began its hearing on February 23, 2026, on the New Mexico Environment Department’s (NMED) proposed rule to implement the Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Protection Act, NMED posted clean and redline versions of a “Rebuttal Proposed New Rule.” As reported in our January 23, 2026, blog item, NMED posted a revised proposed rule in January 2026. The February 2026 revisions state that the label shall include the symbol of...

On February 18, 2026, the New Mexico legislature passed House Joint Memorial 3, requesting that the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board (NMEIB) and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) provide a report on the implementation of the 2025 Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Protection Act and recommendations to improve consumer protections from PFAS. Passed less than a week before NMEIB’s February 23, 2026, hearing on NMED’s proposed rule implementing the Act, House Joint...

Recent headlines have declared that the Olympics have “banned PFAS,” with athletes reportedly disqualified after testing revealed the presence of so-called “forever chemicals” on their equipment. The reality is more nuanced, and that nuance matters. The policy at issue does not originate with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), but with the International Ski Federation (FIS), which governs ski and snowboard competitions under its International Competition Rules (ICR). FIS has...

Safer States released on February 18, 2026, its 2026 Analysis of State Policy Addressing Toxic Chemicals and Plastics. According to Safer States, in 2026, at least 15 major state laws and regulations are taking effect, while 33 states are expected to consider at least 275 policies addressing toxic chemicals and plastics. The 15 laws and regulations taking effect this year include broad restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer products, “first-in-the-nation bans on...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on February 6, 2026, a list of significant actions that the Agency has taken in the first year of the Trump Administration to combat risks from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination and Make America Healthy Again. EPA notes that it plays a key role in responding to PFAS contamination using its scientific expertise and existing environmental authorities. EPA states that working under several federal laws, it...

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) announced on February 2, 2026, that it fined Estee Lauder Cosmetics Ltd. $750,000 for two violations of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA). ECCC states that the offences were related to the failure to inform the government regarding a significant new activity and the failure to comply with a compliance order. In addition to the fine, the Ontario Court of Justice ordered the Company to notify its shareholders about the conviction....