PFAS: 2021 Legal and Regulatory Update

Government entities across the country are increasingly prioritizing the regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), man-made compounds sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily in nature.  Given their ubiquity—they occur in a huge variety of products ranging from cookware to furniture to popcorn bags—this crackdown has significant potential ramifications for manufacturers, suppliers, employees, and many more nationwide.  Accompanying attempted regulation are a bevy of lawsuits designed to hold companies “accountable” for the production of PFAS, and other state sponsored activities.  Governor Evers, for example, recently announced that his administration will be taking legal action against companies responsible for PFAS contamination.  Together, these initiatives have generated substantial concern in the regulated community about overreach and a lack of clear guidance. This issue will dominate headlines from both a regulatory and legal perspective for months and maybe years to come -- this presentation will dive into some of the background including the regulatory and legal landscape as we look toward the future.

Please join us as we host Lucas Vebber, Executive Director at the Wisconsin Manufactures & Commerce Litigation Center, to learn about PFAS regulation and litigation.