U.S. OMB Releases Unified Agenda, Includes PFAS Regulatory Updates
On July 6, 2026, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released its 2026 Unified Agenda, which includes planned regulatory actions. The agenda contains several planned PFAS-related rulemakings by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), including the following:
- By July 2026, finalize a two-year extension for public water systems (PWSs) to comply with drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS in the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR).
- By July 2026, amend the PFAS NPDWR to rescind drinking water standards for PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS.
- By July 2026, finalize certain exemptions for PFAS reporting under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
- By July 2026, propose revisions to the Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards under the Clean Water Act (CWA) to address discharges from PFAS manufacturers.
- By January 2027, finalize the designation of nine PFAS as Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous constituents.
- By January 2027, propose PFAS monitoring and reporting requirements in National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit applications under the CWA.
USEPA Publishes Draft Guidance for PFOA and PFOS in Biosolids
On June 29, 2026, USEPA published draft guidance for reducing risks from PFOA and PFOS in biosolids for bulk land application, wastewater treatment plants and related facilities, and the general public. The draft guidance includes recommendations for source identification, pollution prevention, and monitoring, and recommends avoiding land application of biosolids near drinking water sources, fishable waters, and locations accessible to young children. Public comments on the draft guidance can be submitted online until September 4, 2026.
U.S. DoW Updates Planned Interim Actions for PFAS
On July 6, 2026, the U.S. Department of War (DoW) issued updated guidance for addressing PFAS impacts from DoW installations. The updated guidance follows prior guidance issued in 2024, which established DoW interim actions (i.e., removal actions) and long-term remediation actions for PFAS. Interim actions for DoW-impacted private drinking water wells include providing connections to PWSs, installing whole-house treatment systems, providing point-of-use treatment systems, and providing bottled water. Previously, DoW prioritized interim actions for private drinking water wells with concentrations exceeding three times the applicable PFAS maximum contaminant levels (MCLs). Under the updated guidance, interim actions now extend to private drinking water wells with any exceedance of the PFOA or PFOS MCLs.
U.S. FDA Denies PFAS Food Limits Petition, Plans PFAS Limits for Bottled Water
On June 17, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) denied a citizen petition seeking enforceable PFAS limits in specific foods. The petition requested that the FDA establish enforceable tolerance levels for PFOA and PFOS in milk, salmon, and clams, and non-enforceable action levels for PFAS in lettuce, blueberries, bread, eggs, corn silage, and corn snaplage. The FDA indicated that the petition did not provide sufficient evidence to support the PFAS levels, but that it is “gathering additional information to support setting action levels in some products.”
In June 2026, the FDA announced that it is working to establish limits for PFAS in bottled water in accordance with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. While a timeline was not included in the announcement, the FDA stated that it is “reviewing [US]EPA’s regulations to determine what allowable levels for PFAS are appropriate in our standard of quality regulation for bottled water.”
Wisconsin Requires PFAS Monitoring for Biosolids
On July 1, 2026, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) issued a general permit requiring PFAS monitoring for facilities that land-apply, distribute, or dispose of biosolids. The general permit regulates discharges under the Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) and requires annual monitoring for 40 PFAS in sewage sludge outfalls, lagoons, and reedbeds, as applicable. PFAS monitoring results must be reported to the DNR. If the combined concentration of PFOA and PFOS exceeds 20 µg/kg in a sample, DNR notification and resampling are required. If the average combined concentration of PFOA and PFOS exceeds 20 µg/kg in two samples, DNR will modify the facility's individual WPDES permit to include PFAS-related requirements.
California DTSC Releases Guidance for Evaluating PFAS Human Health Risks
In June 2026, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) issued Human Health Risk Assessment Note 13, which provides guidance for evaluating human health risk at sites with documented or suspected PFAS impacts. The note supplements existing DTSC guidance and includes information on source attribution, sampling design, analytical methods, and risk assessment. Within the guidance, DTSC recommends incorporating PFAS into the conceptual site model where site history suggests PFAS manufacture, use, storage, disposal, or release, and distinguishing site-related PFAS impacts from anthropogenic background contributions. Additionally, DTSC states that site-specific remedial goals should “be supported by multiple lines of evidence” and consider screening-level comparisons, risk assessment, regulatory compliance, and practical remedy implementation.
New York Files Lawsuit Against Fluorochemical Manufacturers
On July 9, 2026, New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a lawsuit against several fluorochemical manufacturers, including the 3M Company, DuPont de Nemours, Inc., and related entities. The complaint alleges risks to human health, environmental contamination, and damage to natural resources. Among other relief, the State seeks funding for cleanup and abatement, as well as damages, restitution, disgorgement, and penalties. The complaint also seeks product labeling requirements and restrictions on the marketing of PFAS-containing products.
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