Washington — Citing pending litigation, the Environmental Protection Agency has pushed to May 18 the effective date of certain provisions of a final rule, published in December 2024, banning the use of trichloroethylene.
TCE is a toxic chemical used in dishwashing products and as a solvent in brake and parts cleaning, recycling, and disposal. In 2014, EPA determined that the substance may cause cancer, developmental and neurological effects, and toxicity to the liver.
The rule prohibits the manufacture, processing and distribution of TCE for consumer products and commercial uses.
However, the delay – announced Feb. 18 – impacts exemptions under Section 6(g) of the Toxic Substances Control Act that “permit several uses to continue under workplace restrictions for longer periods.” These include uses as a processing aid for manufacturing battery separators for lead acid batteries and as a chemical for “essential laboratory activities.”
EPA says ongoing litigation in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit has stayed the rule’s effective date. The agency in August and November also cited the case for its delays of the original effective date of the Section 6(g) exemptions.
The previous effective date was Feb. 17.
