The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that it is looking for participants in its Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel, which will focus on helping develop a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) for many per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
The agency is inviting small entities, including qualifying businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and local governments, to participate as Small Entity Representatives (SERs) on the panel. The announcement comes as part of its recently announced PFAS Roadmap.
EPA is currently developing a proposed NPDWR for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in accordance with the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act and other applicable statutes. EPA said that it is also evaluating additional PFAS and assessing the available science to consider regulations for groups of PFAS.
NPDWRs are legally-enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) or treatment techniques that apply to public water systems. When taking action on PFAS, EPA stated that it intends to ensure that small entities in disadvantaged communities are fully engaged in solutions.
The panel will include federal representatives from the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and EPA. The panel members will ask a selected group of SERs to provide advice and recommendations on behalf of their companies, communities or organizations to inform the panel members about the potential impacts of the proposed rule on small entities.
EPA seeks self-nominations directly from the small entities that may be subject to the rule requirements. Other representatives, such as trade associations that exclusively or at least primarily represent potentially regulated small entities, may also serve as SERs.
Self-nominations may be submitted through this link and must be received by November 2, 2021.
SOURCE: Environmental Protection Agency
