Regulations
Limits are tightening on both sides of the Atlantic
Summarized from official government sources, checked Nov 3, 2026.
European Union
| Area | What it says | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking water Directive (EU) 2020/2184 | 0.10 µg/L “Sum of PFAS” (20 PFAS, incl. PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS) or 0.50 µg/L “PFAS Total”; Member States may use either or both. By 12 January 2026 they “shall take the measures necessary to ensure that water intended for human consumption complies with” these values. | In force; applies from Jan 12, 2026. | EUR-Lex; European Commission As of November 3, 2026 |
| Groundwater Directive (EU) 2026/805 | Adds the “Sum of PFAS” value and 0.0044 µg/L for 4 PFAS (PFHxS, PFOS, PFOA, PFNA). Effective Dec 22, 2027; good status by Dec 22, 2039. | Adopted Mar 30, 2026; in force May 11, 2026; transposition by Dec 22, 2027. | EUR-Lex; European Commission As of November 3, 2026 |
| Surface water Directive (EU) 2026/805 | Lists 25 PFAS, incl. TFA, as priority substances, as a PFOA-equivalent sum: 0.0044 µg/L annual average; 0.077 µg/kg wet weight in fish. Effective Dec 22, 2027; good status by 2039. | In force May 11, 2026. | EUR-Lex As of November 3, 2026 |
| Urban wastewater Directive (EU) 2024/3019 | Plants of 10,000 p.e. and above must monitor inlet and outlet, including PFAS where discharging into a drinking-water catchment. | In force; transposition by Jul 31, 2027. | EUR-Lex As of November 3, 2026 |
| Industrial emissions | The Commission: the Directive “now imposes stricter monitoring of PFAS emissions, with the obligation to report on PFOA and PFHxS and their salts from 2028.” | Reporting from 2028. | European Commission As of November 3, 2026 |
| Chemicals REACH restriction on all PFAS | Requested by national authorities in March 2023. ECHA’s RAC adopted its opinion Mar 2, 2026; SEAC’s draft (Mar 10) favors a ban with use-specific derogations. Consultation closed May 2026. | Proposed. SEAC final opinion expected by end 2026; then a Commission proposal. | ECHA update (Jun 2026); European Commission As of November 3, 2026 |
| Context: PFOS in EU waters | EEA: in 2018–2022 “51-60% of rivers, 11-35% of lakes and 47-100% of transitional and coastal waters exceeded” the PFOS annual average EQS. | Briefing modified Aug 7, 2026. | EEA As of November 3, 2026 |
1 µg/L = 1,000 ng/L.
United States
| Area | What it says | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 PFAS drinking water rule | MCLs: PFOA and PFOS 4.0 ppt; PFHxS, PFNA and HFPO-DA 10 ppt; Hazard Index 1 for mixtures of PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA and PFBS. Monitoring by 2027; compliance by 2029. | Final; published Apr 26, 2024 (89 FR 32532). | Federal Register; EPA As of November 3, 2026 |
| PFOA/PFOS compliance extension | Keeps 4.0 ppt. Systems could request an exemption moving compliance from Apr 26, 2029 to Apr 26, 2031; systems at or above 12 ppt would take interim steps. | Proposed May 2026; comments closed Jul 20, 2026; not final. | Federal Register; EPA As of November 3, 2026 |
| Rescission: PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, Hazard Index | Would rescind these determinations and limits. PFOA and PFOS unaffected. | Proposed May 2026; comments closed Jul 20, 2026; not final. The 2024 text stands. | Federal Register; EPA As of November 3, 2026 |
| Litigation | American Water Works Ass'n v. EPA, No. 24-1188 (D.C. Cir.). | Pending per the May 20, 2026 FR notice. | Federal Register As of November 3, 2026 |
| UCMR 5 monitoring | 29 PFAS and lithium. EPA estimates about 7.8% of systems had an average above the 2024 MCL. | Final dataset; summary July 2026. | EPA data summary As of November 3, 2026 |
| UCMR 6 (proposed) | National data on seven ultrashort organofluorine compounds (incl. certain PFAS), for systems serving 3,300+ and a sample of smaller ones, subject to appropriations. | Proposed Jul 1, 2026. | Federal Register As of November 3, 2026 |
| States | States can take primacy over the federal rule; EPA approved Illinois in September 2026. EPA lists state programs (e.g., MI, MN, NJ, NY, NC, PA). | Ongoing; state limits not summarized. | Federal Register (Illinois); EPA As of November 3, 2026 |
Information only, not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current requirements.