The recent HARC newsletter highlights a crucial shift in how governments are approaching the regulation of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Historically, many regulations were focused on blanket bans of all substances that fell under the PFAS category. However, the newsletter notes that both current and proposed regulations are starting to recognize the limitations of a “one size fits all” ban. This change is significant for industries that rely on specific types of PFAS-related products, including fire protection, immersion cooling, and precision cleaning—industries we serve at Standard Fluids Corporation.
Why Does This Matter?
The HARC newsletter acknowledges that many PFAS definitions have broadened over time, lumping thousands of different compounds together. This blanket categorization has led to confusion, as not all PFAS behave the same or pose the same risks. In fact, some of the most crucial compounds used in fire suppression, like FK-5-1-12 and HFC-227ea, fall under these broader definitions despite their low toxicity and environmental impact.
What’s important here is the recognition that some PFAS are necessary. A blanket ban on all PFAS would ignore the fact that some compounds are essential for maintaining the safety, reliability, and functionality of many products and systems we use daily. For example, halogenated clean agents used in fire suppression not only protect people and valuable assets, but they do so in ways that are safe and compliant with existing environmental guidelines.
Moving Toward Informed Regulation
HARC’s mention of recent regulatory rollbacks signals that lawmakers are beginning to understand the complexity of regulating such a vast category of substances. Regulations in states like Maine and Minnesota are being reconsidered to reflect this nuance, with potential exemptions for PFAS that are critical for safety or that currently have no viable alternatives. Additionally, proposals in the European Union are moving toward more thoughtful restrictions, allowing time-limited exemptions for the continued use of safe and necessary PFAS in certain industries.
At Standard Fluids, we strongly support this movement toward more informed and targeted regulation. It’s important that laws evolve to account for the specific roles that some products play in ensuring the safe and effective operation of key industries. Not all PFAS are harmful, and understanding this distinction is crucial to creating regulations that protect both the environment and society.
As the conversation around PFAS continues, we will keep advocating for balanced, informed policies that recognize the value of the safe PFAS products we use every day while differentiating from those PFAS materials that do indeed require further scrutiny. We look forward to continuing the discussion in future articles as we dive deeper into how these changes affect our industry and the world around us.