From the regional to national scale, science from the Regional Monitoring Program for Water Quality in San Francisco Bay has informed, influenced, or inspired at least 40 laws, regulations, phase-outs, and agency decisions. Twenty-five of these policy outcomes happened since 2015, reflecting the RMP's growing impact. 

Click on each type of policy below to view the full list.

Legislation

CA Plastic Pollution Prevention & Packaging Producer Responsibility (2022)
CA PFAS in Cosmetics Ban (2022)
CA Flame Retardants in Consumer Products (2018)
CA Pharmaceutical Stewardship (2018)
CA Microbead Ban (2015)
US Microbead Ban (2015)
CA Copper in Brake Pads (2010)
CA PBDE Ban (2003)

Regulations

CA Safer Consumer Products Regulations (ongoing)
CA Laundry Detergents with Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (2024)
CA Motor Vehicle Tires with 6PPD (2023)
CA Fipronil Application (2017)
CA Flame Retardants in Furniture (2013)
CA Pyrethroid Application (2012)

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Regional Permits

Municipal and industrial wastewater: mercury and PCBs (2022)
Stormwater Municipal Regional Permit 3.0 (2023)
Stormwater Municipal Regional Permit MRP 2.0 (2015)
Stormwater Municipal Regional Permit MRP 1.0 (2009)
Nutrients (2024)

Total Maximum Daily Loads 

Selenium (2016)
PCBs (2009)
Mercury (2008)
Urban Creeks Diazinon and Pesticide-Related Toxicity (2007)

Phaseouts

US PFOA (2015)
US Deca-BDE (2013)
US PFOS (2002)

Fish Advisories

SF Bay (2011)

Water Quality Objectives

Copper Site-Specific Objectives: San Francisco Bay, South of Dumbarton Bridge (2007)
Copper and Nickel Site-Specific Objectives: San Francisco Bay, North of Dumbarton Bridge (2002)

Strategies and Procedures

CA State Water Board Actions on PFAS, 6PPD, contaminants of emerging concern (ongoing)
CA Department of Toxic Substances Control’s Safer Consumer Products Program 2024–2026 Priority Product Work Plan inclusion of products that contain or generate microplastics
US 6PPD / 6PPD-quinone Action Plan (2024)
US Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council guidance on 6PPD & 6PPD-quinone (2024)
CA Pesticide Regulation Evaluation Model (2024)
CA Microplastics Strategy (2022)
CA Microplastics in Drinking Water Definition (2020) and Standard Operating Procedures for Analysis (2021, revised 2022)

San Francisco Bay 303(d) List (Clean Water Act Impaired Waters) Updates

2024
2018
2010
2006
2002
1998
1996