S. 4153 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Mar 19, 2026
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryPhases out nonessential forever chemicals
Ever wondered why some chemicals stick around in the environment indefinitely. PFAS, sometimes called forever chemicals, are used in products like non-stick cookware, water-resistant clothing, and food packaging because they resist heat and water. This bill would require manufacturers to report how they use these chemicals and phase out all nonessential uses within 10 years. It also sets a 10-year timeline to stop releasing PFAS into the environment above certain levels, requires the federal government to stop buying products containing them, and gives the EPA power to enforce these rules.
How it affects you
If you use products made with PFAS or live near areas where these chemicals have contaminated drinking water, this could affect you. Manufacturers and businesses that use PFAS will need to find alternatives for nonessential products and report their use to the EPA. People exposed to PFAS contamination would also have stronger legal rights to pursue claims against responsible parties, even after a company files for bankruptcy.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Mar 19, 2026)
Forever Chemical Regulation and Accountability Act of 2026
This bill phases out the release and nonessential use of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and addresses PFAS research, remediation, regulation, and enforcement.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must require each manufacturer and user of PFAS to submit annual reports that include specified information about the essential (e.g., critical for health or safety reasons) and nonessential uses of PFAS by such entities. Not later than 10 years after the enactment of this bill, manufacturers and users must fully phase out nonessential uses of PFAS.
The bill also
• establishes specified deadlines to phase out the sale of certain products containing PFAS;
• requires federal agencies, to the maximum extent practicable, to eliminate the procurement of products known to contain PFAS;
• imposes a 10-year phaseout of the release of PFAS above a certain threshold of detection;
• provides enforcement authority to the EPA regarding violations of the requirements of the bill, including through civil and criminal penalties;
• allows citizen suits against manufacturers and users of PFAS and the EPA; and
• addresses actions under state law related to damages from exposure to hazardous substances, including with regard to statutes of repose.
The bill exempts from a bankruptcy petition’s automatic stay any proceeding against a non-debtor entity (e.g., a proceeding to obtain property from a non-debtor) with respect to a PBT claim (a claim relating to persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals) against the non-debtor entity, the debtor, or the estate.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
2nd SessionS. 4153
A BILL
Forever Chemical Regulation and Accountability Act of 2026
Sponsor: Sen. Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) · Introduced Mar 19, 2026 · Environmental Protection · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Mar 19, 2026: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text: CR S1370-1380)”
Sections
Title I — Phaseout of nonessential perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and all releases · 15
- Sec. 101Agreement with the National Academies concerning the essential uses of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substancesNo change
- Sec. 102Manufacturing and use phaseout programNo change
- Sec. 103United States perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance policyNo change
- Sec. 104Perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance release phaseoutNo change
- Sec. 105Use for researchNo change
- Sec. 106Inspections, monitoring, and entryNo change
- Sec. 107EnforcementNo change
- Sec. 108Citizen suitsNo change
- Sec. 109Imminent hazardNo change
- Sec. 110Application of Federal, State, and local law to Federal agenciesNo change
- Sec. 111Judicial reviewNo change
- Sec. 112Regulatory authorityNo change
- Sec. 113FundingNo change
- Sec. 114SeverabilityNo change
- Sec. 115Retention of State authorityNo change
Title II — Other matters with respect to perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances · 3
- Sec. 201Centers of Excellence for Assessing Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Water Sources and Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Remediation SolutionsNo change
- Sec. 202Actions under State law for damages from exposure to hazardous substancesNo change
- Sec. 203Bankruptcy provision relating to persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals defendants and debtorsNo change