TSCA TCE Rules Postponed, PCE Rule To Be Reconsidered

Update: September 16, 2025

EPA will allow two uses of trichloroethylene (TCE) to continue beyond the compliance deadlines set in the 2024 Final Rule that "banned" manufacture, processing, distribution in commerce, and use of the chemical. EPA is extending the compliance date for the following conditions of use or "COUs:" 

• Use of TCE as a processing aid in the manufacture of nuclear fuel until 9/15/2028, and 
• Disposal of TCE to wastewater by processors of TCE as a reactant/intermediate and for processors and industrial and commercial users of TCE as a processing aid, until 12/18/2026

An Interim Final Rule appeared in the Federal Register on September 17, 2025. 

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Update: September 2, 2025

EPA continued working to evaluate the risks of chemicals on the TSCA inventory this summer, with the most recent developments affecting finalized regulations for trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE).

In August, EPA also released Draft Risk Evaluations for two phthalates, BBP and DIBP, finding that both substances pose an unreasonable risk to human health and the environment.

• Check out the TSCA Activity Tracker for more updates and details about ongoing evaluation of potentially hazardous chemicals at EPA.

Workplace Rules for TCE Postponed 

EPA has further postponed the deadline for workplaces that use trichloroethylene (TCE) to comply with new requirements for monitoring and controlling exposure under TSCA §6(a). The postponed requirements apply to uses of TCE that are exempt from the December 2024 Final Rule prohibiting and/or phasing-out all activity involving the chemical. 

• Following EPA’s earlier postponement, the rule was set to take effect on August 19. The scheduled effective date is now November 17, 2025. 

EPA to Reconsider 2024 PCE Final Rule 

On July 30, 2025, EPA requested input concerning its reconsideration of a 2024 Final Rule to prohibit and/or phase-out uses of the chemical perchloroethylene (PCE).
 

“This request for public comment follows the filing of several legal challenges to the rule in 2025, and EPA’s subsequent determination that the PCE regulation under TSCA should be reconsidered through further rulemaking.” 

The December 2024 PCE Final Rule: 

• Prohibits most industrial and commercial uses, as well as manufacturing, processing, or distributing PCE for those uses
• Prohibits manufacturing, processing, and distribution in commerce of PCE for all consumer use
• Provides a 10-year phaseout period for manufacturing, processing, distribution in commerce, and commercial use in dry cleaning and spot cleaning. 

The Rule also mandates a Workplace Chemical Protection Program (WCPP) and/or requires worker protections for many non-prohibited occupational uses. It also establishes recordkeeping and downstream notification requirements for PCE. The comment period ended on August 29, 2025. 

Draft Risk Evaluations Available for BBP, DIBP 

On August 6, EPA announced that Draft Risk Evaluations are available for two phthalates, butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP). EPA’s preliminary conclusion is that both chemicals pose an unreasonable risk to human health and the environment.

When a risk evaluation performed under TSCA determines that a chemical poses an unreasonable risk, EPA is bound by law—the “Lautenberg Law”—to address that risk with regulations to protect employees who work with these chemicals. The draft risk evaluation is open to public comment until October 6, 2025. 

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