EPA publishes two proposed PFAS rules in the Federal Register: compliance deadline extension and four-chemical rescission

EPA published two proposed rules in the Federal Register on May 20, 2026, following Administrator Zeldin and HHS Secretary Kennedy's April 2 announcement. The first proposed rule (docket EPA-HQ-OW-2025-1742) would extend the PFOA and PFOS compliance deadline from April 26, 2029, to April 26, 2031, for water systems that apply and demonstrate eligibility. Systems with detections at or above 12 ppt must implement at least two interim control measures during any exemption period. The second proposed rule would rescind the MCLs for PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX), and PFBS, citing procedural defects in the original Biden-era rulemaking. Public comments closed July 20, 2026, with a virtual hearing on July 7. NRDC and Earthjustice are defending the original rule in federal court, with oral arguments expected in fall 2026.