Search

EPA Proposes to Ban TCE for Certain Uses Under TSCA

Posted on 12/8/2016 by Roger Marks

US EPA has proposed a rule to “prohibit the manufacture, processing, and distribution in commerce of Trichloroethylene (TCE)” for certain uses. The proposed TCE ban is EPA’s first such action under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) as revised by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act.

TCE used in dry cleaning applicationThe specific restrictions proposed apply to commercial use of TCE for aerosol degreasing and spot cleaning in dry-cleaning facilities. This would also require manufacturers, processors, and distributors of TCE to notify customers of the prohibitions against certain uses. The proposed rule also includes TSCA recordkeeping requirements.

EPA’s list of facilities that this proposed rule may impact is extensive and includes industries like textile mills, petroleum refineries, petrochemical and organic chemical manufacturing, plastics product manufacturing, rubber and cement manufacturing, electroplating, primary battery manufacturing, and many more.

A pre-publication version of the proposed rule is available here.


What Is TSCA?

Under TSCA, EPA is required to evaluate chemicals for possible risks to human health and the environment. When risks are present, EPA can create regulations that restrict the manufacture, processing, distribution, and use of these chemicals. 

Recently, EPA began work to perform risk evaluations on the first 10 chemicals identified as a priority in the Agency’s TSCA Work Plan.

To get up to speed on changes to TSCA under the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, which became law this year, read TSCA Reform Passes Senate, Awaits POTUS Signature.  


TSCA Regulations Online Course

Be confident you know how to keep your site in compliance with the many TSCA management, recordkeeping, and reporting programs that affect you. Any business that manufactures, processes, distributes, or uses regulated chemical substances must comply with TSCA. Interactive and available 24/7, the TSCA Regulations Online Course is designed to help you maintain compliance with EPA’s primary chemical law.

Get up to speed with new and changing TSCA rules and get help meeting your EPA reporting requirements—from “Form U” Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) and to SNURs, PMNs, PAIR reporting, import and export notifications and certifications, and much more. 

Tags: chemicals, EPA, new rules, TSCA

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

Lion is easily and consistently the best option for compliance training. I've learned new information from every instructor I've had.

Rachel Mathis

EHS Specialist

I can't say enough how pleased I was with this course! Everything finally makes sense.

Kim Graham

Lab Manager

If I need thorough training or updating, I always use Lion. Lion is always the best in both instruction and materials.

Bryce Parker

EHS Manager

The price was reasonable, the time to complete the course was manageable, and the flexibility the online training allowed made it easy to complete.

Felicia Rutledge

Hazmat Shipping Professional

I can take what I learned in this workshop and apply it to everyday work and relate it to my activities.

Shane Hersh

Materials Handler

These are the best classes I attend each year. I always take something away and implement improvements at my sites.

Kim Racine

EH&S Manager

Our instructor was very dynamic and kept everyone's interest. Hazmat shipping can be a dry, complicated topic but I was engaged the entire time.

Kimberly Arnao

Senior Director of EH&S

Given the choice, I would do all coursework this way. In-person courses go very fast without the opportunity to pause or repeat anything.

Ellen Pelton

Chemical Laboratory Manager

I was recently offered an opportunity to take my training through another company, but I politely declined. I only attend Lion Technology workshops.

Stephanie Gilliam

Material Production/Logistics Manager

The course was very well structured and covered the material in a clear, concise manner.

Ian Martinez

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Use this guide to spot which tanks and substances are regulated under EPA's Underground Storage Tank program, and which are excluded as of October 2018.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.