SPAN Outlines Key Components for a Federal PFAS Management Policy at Congressional Briefing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 26, 2023

Contact: media@span.org 

Washington D.C. - Today the Sustainable PFAS Action Network (SPAN) discussed with Congressional staff several critical aspects of sustainable federal PFAS management policies that should be included in upcoming legislation.

Kevin Fay, Executive Director of SPAN, joined experts from the Environmental Working Group, DoD, and DoE to outline SPAN's PFAS policy approach at a briefing for Congressional staff hosted by the Congressional PFAS Task Force. SPAN’s principles include:

·      Advocating for a uniform federal policy for PFAS

·      Aggressively identifying and remediating contaminated sites

·      Ensuring the definition of PFAS focuses on substances most likely to exhibit characteristics affecting risk

·      Establishing a program for reporting on PFAS-containing products

·      Categorizing compounds based on science and risk

·      Selecting an approval process for new PFAS alternatives

·      Setting long-term emission reduction goals

·      Adequate staff and budget requirements

The briefing delved into the recent developments in PFAS legislation, specifically, the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee's draft PFAS legislation, which Fay referred to as an important step forward in increasing federal leadership for PFAS policy and offered solutions to improve the effectiveness of the legislation.

The briefing also addressed essential use considerations, establishing guidelines to identify essential uses that support critical functions in the United States and to phase-out non-essential applications and where risks cannot be justified.

“Identification of essential uses is a critical part of comprehensive and sustainable PFAS policy,” said Fay, who expressed support for the National Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine study of both beneficial and nonessential uses of PFAS in commerce that is included in the Senate EPW draft.

“An effective federal program will categorize compounds according to their risk profiles and manage their use in a way that is sustainable and recognizes the benefits that their application brings to society.”

Attendees gained valuable information on PFAS management policy and its implications on various sectors, focusing on economic, environmental, and national security perspectives from the following panelists:

o   Kevin Fay, Executive Director of SPAN

o   Dr. Patricia Underwood, Director of Risk Management at Department of Defense

o   Dr. Josh Silverman, Director of Office of Environmental Protection and ES&H Reporting, Department of Energy

o   Melanie Benesh, VP of Government Affairs at Environmental Working Group

ABOUT SPAN

Formed in 2021, SPAN members recognize that America’s innovators and industries depend on the responsible management of PFAS compounds. The organization supports science- and risk-based policy approaches that recognize the unique differences of these compounds. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified more than 10,000 materials that are likely to meet the broadest definition of PFAS. However, the number of compounds currently commercially manufactured or used in the United States today is closer to 700. Recognizing the essential role of PFAS compounds in enabling economic prosperity, delivering lifesaving equipment and medicine, climate change mitigation, and national security, among many other important applications, SPAN is committed to their sustainable use and responsible management.

More information about SPAN and industries they support is available by visiting www.span.org.

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