SPAN Supports Legislation to Improve Minnesota’s PFAS Reporting Rule and Recommends Additional Risk-Based Management Reforms
On March 3, 2025, the Sustainable PFAS Action Network (SPAN) submitted comments to Minnesota Representative Josh Heintzeman, Chairman of the Environment and Natural Resources Finance and Policy Committee, in support of legislation to improve the state’s PFAS in Products reporting program. The bill, HF1627, would allow more time for PFAS producers and users to comply with product reporting requirements and refine the definition of "Product" to more efficiently focus on personal and residential uses. While this is a strong step in the right direction, SPAN also recommends additional improvements to Minnesota’s PFAS in Products law to responsibly refine its scope and reduce administrative burdens.
Comment Letter Highlights
Current Provisions of HF1627
Reporting Extension: SPAN strongly supports the bill’s provision to modestly extend the start of Minnesota’s PFAS in Products reporting requirement by two years.
Product Definition: The bill also would amend the definition of “Product” to focus only on those products intended for personal and residential uses. While this is a significant improvement, SPAN would recommend additional clarifications to the definition of “Product,” such as to clarify the intent of the amendment to focus on items intended for use only by consumers.
Additional Amendments to HF1627
Reporting Reforms: Even with the amendments outlined in the bill, Minnesota’s reporting program will remain overly broad, administratively burdensome, and virtually impossible to implement. SPAN strongly recommends that Minnesota reform their reporting program to better align with the EPA’s product rules pursuant to the Toxic Substances Control Act Section 8(a)(7), along with the effective date delay.
Risk-Based Exemptions: Last year, Maine reformed their first-in-the-nation PFAS in products law to reshape the requirements and include several important categorical exemptions to their reporting program and ban. Currently, New Mexico is considering similar exemptions for a class-wide PFAS in products program. SPAN strongly recommends that Minnesota adopt a similar list of exemptions for the reporting requirement.
Read the full comment letter by clicking here.
SPAN looks forward to working with policymakers in Minnesota on implementing risk-based reforms to enhance HF1627 and advancing policies that protect human health and the environment while also facilitating economic growth and innovation.