The Nickel Report

On February 6, 2026, the US Environmental Protection Agency issued a press release highlighting significant actions addressing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) taken during the first year of the new administration and signaling continued expansion of efforts affecting regulated entities. The announcement reiterates EPA’s continued commitment to making PFAS a top priority across its programs. The release also summarizes EPA’s PFAS testing approach and methods for identifying and measuring PFAS in various environmental media, the results of which will guide the agency’s future actions. Overall, EPA expects to expand research and testing, increase community engagement, and strengthen enforcement actions to address PFAS contamination.

Responding to an EPA collection request can be costly, time consuming and stressful for the target of the request—especially because failure to submit a timely and accurate response can result in significant civil or criminal penalties. On November 21, EPA’s Office of Water (OW) and Office of Civil Enforcement (OCE) issued new policies that, if followed, promise to make the process more reasoned and less burdensome.