New Initiative Aims to Balance PFAS Policy with Climate Goals
The intersection of environmental regulation and climate change has grown increasingly complex. In response, the Sustainable PFAS Action Network (SPAN) has introduced a Refrigerant Working Group to address these challenges. This initiative seeks to develop science-based policies that acknowledge the role of refrigerants in achieving climate goals while addressing environmental concerns.
On July 15, 2026, SPAN announced the formation of this new group. They highlighted its objective to foster practical PFAS policies that recognize the essential nature of refrigerants in everyday applications. The initiative will gather stakeholders, technical experts, and industry leaders to ensure that refrigerants are treated as critical essential uses in policy discussions.
Core Priorities of the Refrigerant Working Group
The Working Group will prioritize several key areas:
- Engaging lawmakers and regulators to promote consistent, science-based approaches that bolster innovation and public trust.
- Providing accurate information on refrigerants and PFAS classifications to the public.
- Educating policymakers and stakeholders on the differences between various refrigerants and PFAS definitions.
- Creating white papers and technical resources with factual data on refrigerants and PFAS.
- Emphasizing the importance of effective refrigerant policies to international climate agreements and emissions reduction targets.
The Importance of Science-Based Policy
SPAN emphasizes the growing recognition at multiple governance levels of the need for science-based refrigerant and PFAS policies. Although some state regulations and advocacy efforts broadly categorize refrigerants as PFAS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not classified most refrigerants as such under its current definitions and regulatory frameworks. SPAN advocates for policies grounded in sound science and risk-based analysis to avoid undermining climate and economic objectives.
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