ROHS Compliance

On March 19, 2026, the Congressional Record of the U.S. Senate published Bill S.4153 – the Forever Chemical Regulation and Accountability Act of 2026. The bill outlines a comprehensive plan to phase out per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and establish a strong regulatory framework. 

Key Provisions of the Bill 

I. Annual Monitoring and Reporting Requirements (Section 102(a)) 

  • Rulemaking Timeline: Within three years of the Act coming into force, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to issue a final rule mandating PFAS manufacturers and users to submit reports.  

  • Reporting Requirements (Initial and Annual): An initial report must be submitted within 18 months of the rule’s issuance, followed by mandatory annual reporting thereafter. 

Reporting Item 

Specific Content 

Essential Use Description 

Function of PFAS in the product/process, usage amount and concentration, trade name, chemical identity, and molecular structure 

Safer Alternatives 

Alternative PFAS solutions currently in use 

Environmental Releases 

Any detectable levels of PFAS releases 

Federally Required Uses 

PFAS uses mandated by federal law, standards, or government specifications 

Non-Essential Use Description 

Detailed description of all non-essential uses 

Total Production/Processing Volume 

Total volume manufactured or processed for each PFAS, and estimated volumes by use category 

Byproducts 

Byproducts generated during manufacturing, processing, use, or disposal 

Environmental & Health Impacts 

All available information on the environmental and health impacts of the PFAS 

Exposed Population 

Number of people exposed in the workplace and duration of exposure 

Disposal Methods 

Method of disposal or destruction for each PFAS (initial report and upon change) 

Additional Information 

Other information requested by the Administrator 

 

 

II. Production and Consumption Phase-Out Timeline (Section 102(b)) 

  • Overall Phase-Out Deadline: Manufacturers and users are required to eliminate all non-essential uses within 10 years from the Act’s effective date.  

III. Accelerated Phase-Out for Certain Products (Section 102(b)(4)) 

  • Specifies a faster phase-out timeline for selected high-risk or priority products, requiring earlier compliance compared to the general deadline. 

Time After Enactment 

Products Prohibited from Sale 

Exceptions 

1 Year 

Carpets/rugs, fabric treatments, food packaging and containers, children's products, oil and gas products containing PFAS 

Second-hand products may continue to be sold 

 

 

2 Years 

Cosmetics, indoor textiles, indoor upholstered furniture, accessories/handbags, indoor and outdoor apparel containing PFAS 

4 Years 

Outdoor textiles, outdoor upholstered furniture containing PFAS 

5 Years 

 

Outdoor apparel for severe wet conditions containing PFAS (intentionally added) 

 

 

IV. Scope of Application 

  • Geographical Coverage: The Act applies across all U.S. states, territories, freely associated states, Indian tribes, and the District of Columbia.  

  • Exempted Entities: It does not apply to entities that only handle PFAS as part of routine operations, such as solid waste management facilities and public water systems.