Firefighting Foam

Massachusetts Senate Proposes Comprehensive PFAS Controls for Products, Biosolids and Wastewater

Massachusetts has introduced a comprehensive PFAS bill (S.3034) proposing phased bans on food packaging, firefighting foam, and priority consumer products starting in 2028. Manufacturers face mandatory reporting by 2028 and must prepare for strict "currently unavoidable use" exemptions and supply chain notifications to maintain market access.

6 Apr 2026, 18:35malegislature.govUnited States

Minnesota MPCA Reviews Early Comments on Draft MS4 General Permit (MNR040000)

Minnesota is advancing the reissuance of its MS4 General Permit (MNR040000), with formal public notice planned for late spring 2026 and target finalization in late summer. Permittees face new operational constraints including prohibitions on PFAS-containing firefighting foams and pesticides, requiring updated stormwater pollution prevention programs and tighter chemical management.

5 Apr 2026, 06:03pca.state.mn.usUnited States

Planet Tracker Warns of Multi-Billion-Dollar PFAS Litigation and Regulatory Risk

A major financial analysis warns of multi-billion-dollar PFAS litigation and regulatory liabilities as active lawsuits and clean-up costs escalate globally. Businesses must urgently integrate PFAS-related financial exposure and remediation costs into corporate disclosure, risk-provisioning, and long-term supply chain strategies.

2 Apr 2026, 09:29edie.netGlobal

Japan Consultation On CSCL Technical Standards For PFOS/PFOA/PFHxS Fire Extinguishers

Japan is consulting on mandatory technical standards for fire extinguishers containing PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS, with implementation expected in June 2026. Manufacturers and users must adapt handling and storage protocols to meet these updated safety requirements for PFAS-containing firefighting equipment.

1 Apr 2026, 19:13public-comment.e-gov.go.jpJapan

Rhode Island Announces PFAS Study On Stocked Trout And Temporary Closure Of Upper Melville Pond To Fishing

Rhode Island is launching a targeted study (May–July 2026) to assess PFAS bioaccumulation in stocked trout following historical contamination from firefighting foams. Data from this assessment will likely inform future fish consumption advisories and regional remediation priorities, reflecting a broader shift toward monitoring chemical pathways in the food chain.

1 Apr 2026, 19:07ri.govUnited States

EU PFHxA PFAS Restrictions Under REACH Start Phasing In From April 2026

EU restrictions on PFHxA and related substances under REACH Annex XVII begin phasing in from April 2026, targeting firefighting foams, textiles, food packaging, and cosmetics. Impacted industries must prioritize supply chain transparency and material substitution to meet stringent concentration limits and navigate complex exemptions for technical and medical uses.

28 Mar 2026, 09:02eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

US Study Links PFOS Exposure to Slower Processing Speed in Firefighters

New research links PFOS exposure from firefighting gear and foam to reduced cognitive processing speed in first responders. This evidence supports the transition toward PFAS-free protective equipment and may drive more stringent occupational health surveillance and chemical risk assessments.

27 Mar 2026, 18:42nature.comUnited States

EEA Committee Incorporates Major EU Chemicals Amendments Into EEA Agreement – 20 March 2026

The EEA Joint Committee incorporated 88 EU acts into the EEA Agreement on March 20, 2026, extending major EU chemicals, cosmetics, and biocides regulations to EEA/EFTA states. Companies in Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein must now align with EU-level restrictions on PFAS, POPs, and CMR substances to maintain compliance and market access.

26 Mar 2026, 19:18regjeringen.noEuropean Economic AreaEuropean UnionNorwayIcelandLiechtenstein

Illinois House Introduces Resolution Urging Replacement of PFAS-Containing Firefighting Foams With SoyFoam

Illinois House Resolution 748 urges state fire authorities to replace PFAS-containing firefighting foams with biobased, fluorine-free alternatives. While non-binding, this resolution signals a clear policy shift toward PFAS elimination in emergency response and highlights the growing legislative preference for sustainable, bio-derived chemical substitutes.

26 Mar 2026, 19:14ilga.govUnited States

US NDAA 2026 Tightens DoD PFAS, AFFF And Firefighter PPE Requirements

The US NDAA FY2026 mandates a strict "no detectable PFAS" standard for firefighting foam by October 2026 and shifts Department of Defense procurement toward PFAS-free firefighter protective equipment. These requirements accelerate the phase-out of fluorinated substances in the defense supply chain, increasing demand for alternative chemistries and remediation technologies while heightening liability risks for legacy contamination.

25 Mar 2026, 21:40govinfo.govUnited States

New Jersey DEP and DCA Implement PFAS Firefighting Foam Collection Programme Ahead of 2026 Restriction

New Jersey is operationalizing its ban on PFAS-containing firefighting foams through a statewide collection program and mandatory manufacturer recalls starting in early 2026. Impacted businesses must accelerate the transition to fluorine-free alternatives and ensure compliance with strict storage, reporting, and recall obligations to mitigate liability and operational risk.

25 Mar 2026, 21:31dep.nj.govUnited States

Netherlands Supreme Court AG Issues Opinion On Waste Status Of PFAS-Contaminated Firefighting Water (ECLI:NL:PHR:2026:242)

The Netherlands Supreme Court Advocate General has affirmed that PFAS-contaminated firefighting water must be classified as waste during storage, regardless of future recycling intentions. This reinforces strict environmental permitting obligations for site operators, clarifying that hazardous waste controls apply until active recovery operations are physically initiated.

21 Mar 2026, 19:27uitspraken.rechtspraak.nlNetherlands

Hawaii Senate Resolution Urges U.S. DoD To Reassess CERCLA PFAS Site Closures

Hawaii Senate Resolution SR129 urges the U.S. Department of Defense to reopen and expand PFAS contamination investigations at military sites in light of new federal hazardous substance designations. This signals intensifying state-level pressure for comprehensive environmental remediation and may impact future military land lease negotiations and liability assessments.

20 Mar 2026, 06:08capitol.hawaii.govUnited States

UK NGO CHEM Trust Criticises Government PFAS Action Plan

The UK has launched its long-term PFAS strategy, drawing criticism from NGOs for lacking binding phase-out timelines and failing to align with the EU’s universal restriction. Businesses should anticipate intensified pressure for sector-specific bans in consumer goods and the introduction of robust polluter-pays remediation frameworks.

19 Mar 2026, 19:39gov.ukUnited Kingdom

Hawaii House Resolution Urges US Department Of Defense To Reassess CERCLA PFAS Site Closures

Hawaii lawmakers have introduced a resolution urging the US Department of Defense to reopen and expand PFAS contamination investigations at military sites across the state. This signals intensifying state-level pressure on federal agencies to revisit legacy site closures, potentially complicating land lease renewals and increasing remediation liabilities.

19 Mar 2026, 12:55capitol.hawaii.govUnited States

US District Court (E.D. Pennsylvania) Denies Remand in PFAS Cancer Lawsuit by Former Phillies Players Against 3M

A US federal court has ruled that a high-profile PFAS personal injury lawsuit will remain in federal court, upholding the "federal officer" defense for manufacturers. This decision strengthens the ability of defendants to move state-level toxic tort claims to federal jurisdiction by linking alleged exposures to historical military specifications.

18 Mar 2026, 16:13cases.justia.comUnited States

ChemSec Analyses $19 Billion US PFAS Litigation Concentrated in Eight Companies

ChemSec analysis reveals $19 billion in US PFAS litigation settlements since 2021, concentrated among eight major manufacturers. Escalating legal costs and insurance withdrawals signal a material shift in global PFAS liability, necessitating proactive risk assessment for downstream users and manufacturers alike.

17 Mar 2026, 20:18chemsec.orgUnited StatesEuropean Union

New Mexico Environment Department To Clean Up PFAS-Contaminated Groundwater At Dairies

New Mexico has initiated state-funded PFAS groundwater remediation at local dairies, bypassing federal delays to address contamination from firefighting foam. This proactive state enforcement signals increasing liability risks for PFAS users and sets a precedent for state-led cost recovery against federal or industrial polluters.

14 Mar 2026, 07:56env.nm.govUnited States

US Supreme Court Declines Review in Maryland and South Carolina PFAS Suits Against 3M

The US Supreme Court has declined to review a ruling allowing PFAS contamination lawsuits against 3M to proceed in federal court, upholding the application of the federal officer removal statute. This decision strengthens the defense position for manufacturers by favoring federal jurisdiction in complex environmental litigation where state-level claims are intertwined with federal military specifications.

12 Mar 2026, 11:23supremecourt.govUnited States

Japan FDMA Defines Performance Standards For Foam Fire-Extinguishing Equipment In Parking Areas

Japan's FDMA has established mandatory performance standards for foam fire-extinguishing equipment in parking facilities, effective March 2026. Facility operators and equipment manufacturers must align technical specifications with these new benchmarks to ensure compliance and fire safety certification.

12 Mar 2026, 05:00kanpo.go.jpJapan