The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026, signed into law by President Trump on Dec. 18, 2025, includes a landmark provision requiring the Department of Defense to develop and implement mold remediation guidelines for military housing consistent with the ANSI/IICRC S520 Standard for Professional Mold Remediation.
The provision, which took effect in January 2026, requires the Secretary of Defense to establish common mold remediation guidelines within 180 days of enactment. The guidelines must be submitted to the Secretary of Defense, the Secretaries of the Military Departments, and the relevant congressional committees.
The legislation also requires that mold assessments be performed both before and after remediation by independent third parties, consistent with the S520 standard's requirements for pre- and post-remediation verification testing.
Rep. Jack Bergman was credited with championing the provision, which was supported by IICRC, ISSA, and the National Organization of Remediators & Microbial Inspectors. The provision reflects years of advocacy by these organizations for the recognition of industry standards in federal law.
The NDAA provision is expected to have a significant impact on the federal contracting market for mold remediation work in military housing, creating new opportunities for IICRC-certified contractors and raising the bar for work quality in this sector.
