Dear Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Thornberry:
We, the undersigned associations, write to express our strong opposition to inclusion of H.R. 535, the PFAS Action Act in the “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021.” We also oppose any amendment that would further restrict the procurement of PFAS-containing products by the Department of Defense, beyond what was required in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020.
We support a consistent approach and clear timelines for assessing and regulating specific PFAS across all relevant federal agencies to ensure that government regulations, actions, and communications are coordinated for maximum effectiveness.
Any federal action should not address PFAS as a class or with predetermined outcomes that circumvent the regulatory process. Instead,regulation of any PFAS chemical should be based on the weight of the scientific evidence as it relates to potential health effects and environmental protection. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, signed into law at the end of last year, included provisions that took important steps towards meeting those goals.
The Department of Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as well as other relevant agencies, should retain their historical authority to study and determine whether to regulate certain PFAS chemicals. We are encouraging EPA to continue its important work on the PFAS Action Plan, as announced in February 2019.
The business community remains committed to working with legislators, regulators, and all stakeholders to establish risk-based approaches that enable protection of human health and the environment.
Sincerely,
Airlines for America
American Chemistry Council
American Coatings Association
American Council of Engineering Companies
American Forest and Paper Association
American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers
Associated General Contractors of America
American Petroleum Institute
International Liquid Terminals Association
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association
PRINTING United Alliance
Single Ply Roofing Industry
TRSA – The Linen, Uniform, and Facility Services Association
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
