Keeping Track: PFAS Bans in Industrial Operations Continue to Evolve

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) remain one of the most dynamic areas of environmental regulation in North America, with federal and state agencies continuing to adjust compliance expectations. For the industrial valve and flow control sector — where fluoropolymers such as PTFE, FKM/Viton and other engineered materials provide critical performance in seals, gaskets, packing and linings — the changing regulatory landscape creates ongoing uncertainty for manufacturers, distributors and their customers.

Recent federal announcements from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin, active state-level reporting mandates and emerging labeling requirements are all taking place in the U.S. VMA has taken a leading role in educating lawmakers, countering overly broad PFAS bans and advocating for clear distinctions between fluoropolymers that are critical for safety and environmental protection in industrial operations and other types of PFAS.

Since our last look at this topic in the Spring 2024 issue of Valve Magazine, there have been some updates and changes affecting our industry.

Why PFAS matters for the valve industry

While PFAS is often treated as a single category, industrial fluoropolymers used in valve and sealing applications are fundamentally different from the legacy PFAS compounds driving environmental concern. As many in our industry now know, fluoropolymers typically used in our industry are chemically inert, thermally stable and essential for preventing leaks, fugitive emissions and system failures.

These fluoropolymers provide extensive benefits in many energy, chemical processing and water/wastewater applications. Further, there are no viable alternatives that can withstand many of the required operating conditions in those applications. Eliminating fluoropolymers would increase operational risk, reduce equipment life and in many cases lead to more emissions.

This distinction between fluoropolymers and other PFAS substances has been central to VMA’s educational efforts as regulators consider broad PFAS restrictions.

Federal developments: EPA proposes major revisions to PFAS Reporting Rule

On November 10, 2025, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced proposed updates to the PFAS reporting rule under TSCA. Under the current rule (finalized in 2023), any company manufacturing or importing PFAS — including importing articles containing PFAS such as seals and gaskets — must report extensive historical data. While the reporting windows remain scheduled for October 13, 2026, or April 13, 2027, (depending on company size and other criteria), the EPA has not yet released the required reporting portal, leaving companies without the tools they need to prepare.

The new EPA proposal includes major changes impacting the industrial valve sector:

• Removing reporting requirements for companies that only import PFAS-containing articles, such as PTFE seals, O-rings, gaskets, packing and coatings. This is perhaps the most significant potential change impacting our industry.
• Shortening the reporting window from six months to three months.

If finalized, these changes would significantly reduce administrative burden for many in our industry. VMA is reviewing the proposal and anticipates submitting formal comments on this proposed rule.

Minnesota: Reporting still required by July 1, 2026, for now

Minnesota’s PFAS law remains expansive and directly affects industrial products. The law requires all products with intentionally added PFAS to be reported by July 1, 2026. Additionally, a ban on all products containing intentionally added PFAS, unless a “currently unavoidable use” (CUU) designation comes into effect January 1, 2032. However, on August 28, 2025, a Minnesota Court of Administrative hearings judge noted several concerns with the rule and asked that the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to address those concerns. The judge specifically disapproved of the rule due to the failure to assess the cumulative effect of the rule with other federal and state regulations. If the concerns are satisfactorily addressed, which could include modification of the rule in some way, there may be no changes. However, that is unknown at this time and the MPCA website notes that more information is expected January 1, 2026, and the reporting system to be used is expected soon as well.

Maine: A phased approach of reporting

While Maine was the first state to ban all PFAS, it later set a phased-in approach, with various deadlines banning the use of intentionally added PFAS. For our industry, the ban starts on January 1, 2032, unless a currently unavoidable use designation is provided. VMA is working with our members to determine ways to submit for this designation.

New Mexico: Emerging PFAS labeling requirement

New Mexico’s PFAS Protection Act bans all articles containing PFAS starting January 1, 2032, unless a currently unavoidable use designation is granted. Recently, a proposed framework supporting the PFAS Protection Act was announced which discussed obtaining CUU, reporting, labeling of products with intentionally added PFAS. New Mexico is the first state to address a broad labeling of products with PFAS. VMA is evaluating the rule’s applicability to our industry and will work with our members and the Flow Control Coalition to provide comments on this proposed rule.

VMA continues to support our members

VMA has made PFAS policy one of its top government affairs priorities, working independently and through the Flow Control Coalition to:

• Educate policymakers on the differences between harmful PFAS chemicals and essential fluoropolymers.
• Submit comments to federal and state agencies, including EPA, Maine and Minnesota, advocating for CUU designations and practical timelines.
• Develop customer communication tools, including template letters and guidance documents.
• Push for valve and flow control industry exemptions where fluoropolymers are necessary for safety, emissions reduction, and equipment integrity.

Looking Ahead

While federal regulators appear ready to ease some PFAS reporting burdens at this time, state-level rules continue to present complex compliance challenges. For the valve and flow control industry, the stakes remain high: fluoropolymers are not just common materials, but mission-critical components that ensure environmental protection, worker safety and operational reliability.

VMA will continue monitoring developments, coordinating industry responses, and ensuring that policymakers understand the essential role our products play in maintaining safe, efficient flow control systems.

For questions or assistance, contact Heather Rhoderick at hrhoderick@vma.org.