PFAS Regulation and Liability Considerations in the U.S. and Globally – Navigating A Changing Environment

The regulation and liability considerations related to addressing per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances – commonly referred to as PFAS and “forever chemicals” – are presenting considerable challenges to businesses across the U.S. and globally. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) recently finalized a rule determining two PFAS compounds as “hazardous” which implicates liability considerations in U.S. The U.S. EPA is still contemplating other considerations in the rulemaking process with respect to developing clean-up criteria related to the most common PFAS contamination found in drinking water. Moreover, the regulation of PFAS across the 50 states is also far from settled. Globally, the E.U. and other countries are struggling with developing a workable framework to manage PFAS contamination.

This regulatory effort is being undertaken while numerous lawsuits proceed in the state and federal courts in U.S. providing an additional layer of uncertainty. More recently, questions are arising with respect to the science underlying clean-up obligations and technology and the pervasive presence of PFAS in soils and groundwater. Public utilities and private entities are struggling with how to address unintended discharges of PFAS and how to protect public health.

This seminar will focus on key takeaways in the following areas: 1) Recent developments in the U.S. regulation of PFAS, including key legal proceedings; 2) Recent developments in the global regulations of PFAS; 3) What should businesses be doing now including, addressing PFAS as part of on-going and contemplated transactions. Attendees can expect to gain a basic understanding of the considerations related to the regulation of PFAS and liability considerations in this changing landscape.

Part1 Lecture
Speaker: Ronald A. King

Part2 Panel Discussion
Moderator: Hironobu Tsukamoto
Panelists: Ronald A. King, Kei Honda and Eriko Ogata

Q&A and Networking