On February 14, 2019, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a PFAS Action Plan, which responded to extensive public interest and input the agency had received and represented the first time EPA has built a multi-media, multi-program, national communication and research plan to address an emerging environmental challenge like PFAS. This Plan was updated on February 26, 2020. The EPA's Action Plan identified both short-term solutions for addressing these chemicals and long-term strategies that may provide the tools and technologies states, tribes, and local communities requested to provide clean and safe drinking water to their residents and to address PFAS at the source before it gets into the water. The designation of PFOA and PFOS as CERCLA hazardous substances was one of several actions mentioned in the PFAS Action Plan. The EPA is undertaking a rulemaking effort to designate PFOA and PFOS as CERCLA hazardous substances.

The EPA is considering an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in which the Agency will seek public input on further PFAS-related designations under CERCLA. As examples, the Agency may request input regarding the potential hazardous substance designation of precursors to PFOA and PFOS; hazardous substance designation of additional PFAS; and designation, or designations of classes or sub-classes of PFAS as hazardous substances.