Inside PFAS Policy: “Industry Urges Minnesota to Avoid Duplicating EPA’s PFAS Reporting”

In response to public comments Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) received from stakeholders on the planned rulemaking for manufacturer to report products containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Minnesota, Inside PFAS Policy reports “industry groups are urging Minnesota regulators to ensure an upcoming PFAS reporting rule is not duplicative of recently promulgated EPA requirements, with some groups calling on the state to coordinate with EPA and Maine -- the only other state working on reporting requirements -- and others pushing for Minnesota to just wait for EPA data.”

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Amongst other industry groups, Inside PFAS Policy spotlighted the Sustainable PFAS Action Network (SPAN) as a working industry group urging Minnesota to coordinate with EPA’s existing efforts and to take a risk-based approach to PFAS management.

“For example, the Sustainable PFAS Action Network (SPAN), which describes itself as a coalition of PFAS users and producers committed to sustainable, risk-based PFAS management, recommends in Nov. 28 comments that “MPCA ensure its reporting requirements do not duplicate and take into consideration information being collected by the U.S. government, and that will be collected in other states.”

SPAN notes that under EPA’s Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) reporting rule, published in the Oct. 11 Federal Register, the federal agency is initiating a PFAS reporting program to gather additional data on the production, use, exposure, and environmental and health effects of PFAS in the United States, to enable EPA to more effectively determine what further measures concerning PFAS might be appropriate.

“SPAN recommends MPCA make reasonable efforts to recognize and benefit from information being gathered by EPA and other states and provide mechanisms that will permit businesses preparing information for submittal to EPA (and to other states) to avoid duplicative requirements,” the comments say”

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SPAN is dedicated to supporting sustainable measures that protect human health and the environment while recognizing the role that certain responsibly-used PFAS play in supporting Minnesota's economic growth and job creation. Minnesota's proposed regulations hold the potential to significantly impact industries that are not only integral to Minnesota’s economy but also contribute substantially to the nation's GDP.  

While SPAN reserves the opportunity to comment in greater detail and on additional topics when a proposed regulation is made available by MPCA, the full letter detailing these specific points is available here.