EPA and EU Advance New Rules on PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’

On May 20, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed two new rules that would overhaul the 2024 drinking‑water regulations for per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The proposals could change the compliance timeline for public water systems, which serve more than 150 million Americans; EPA data show that 98 % of U.S. residents already have PFAS in their blood.

In Europe, a decree taking effect on 1 January 2026 requires monitoring of 20 PFAS in drinking water, but the degradation product trifluoroacetate (TFA) will not be included until January 2027. French testing has found TFA in 92 % of water samples, well below the national limit of 60 µg/L but above the stricter Dutch standard of 2 µg/L. Authorities warn that TFA is highly persistent, mobile and difficult to remove, prompting calls for stronger regulation and source‑reduction measures.