The Nickel Report

On February 6, 2026, the US Environmental Protection Agency issued a press release highlighting significant actions addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) taken during the first year of the new administration and signaling continued expansion of efforts affecting regulated entities. The announcement reiterates EPA’s continued commitment to making PFAS a top priority across its programs. The release also summarizes EPA’s PFAS testing approach and methods for identifying and measuring PFAS in various environmental media, the results of which will guide the agency’s future actions. Overall, EPA expects to expand research and testing, increase community engagement, and strengthen enforcement actions to address PFAS contamination.

Chemical manufacturers, product makers, and product retailers are gearing up for new state-level restrictions on products sold in stores and online that contain per- and-polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). A total of 18 states have PFAS product restrictions ranging from bans to reporting to labeling requirements. The laws target primarily food packaging, cosmetics, cookware, and textiles, but some states have expansive laws that include all types of products. Each year for the past four years, approximately 200 PFAS-related bills are introduced in state legislatures, and we expect this trend to continue, potentially adding to the growing patchwork of PFAS restrictions.

On November 10, 2025, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a pre-publication copy of its proposed rule to significantly reduce the scope of PFAS reporting under Section 8(a)(7) of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). Significantly, EPA’s proposal would exempt imported articles from reporting. Once the proposed rule is published in the Federal Register, it will be subject to a 45-day comment period.

In September 2025, federal agencies released their “Spring 2025” Regulatory Agendas that provide an outlook for numerous upcoming regulatory actions on chemicals under the new administration that could have significant implications for the regulated community.