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 does a great job summarizing and communicating complicated EH&S-related regulations.

Michele Irmen

Sr. Environmental Engineer

These are the best commercial course references I have seen (10+ years). Great job!

Ed Grzybowski

EHS & Facility Engineer

I attended training from another provider and learned absolutely nothing. Lion is much better. Hands down.

Nicole Eby

Environmental Specialist

The instructor was very very informative, helpful, understandable and pleasant. This course answered many questions I had, being new to this industry.

Frances Mona

Shipping Manager

I have attended other training providers, but Lion is best. Lion is king of the hazmat jungle!!!

Henry Watkins

Hazardous Waste Technician

The instructor was very dedicated to providing a quality experience. She did her best to make sure students were really comprehending the information.

Stephanie Venn

Inventory Control Specialist

Excellent class, super instructor, very easy to follow. No rushing through material. Would like to take his class again.

Lawrence Patterson

EH&S Facility Maintenance & Security Manager

Amazing instructor; real-life examples. Lion training gets better every year!

Frank Papandrea

Environmental Manager

I like Lion's workshops the best because they really dig into the information you need to have when you leave the workshop.

Tom Bush, Jr.

EHS Manager

The instructor was very engaging and helped less experienced people understand the concepts.

Steve Gall

Safety Leader

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Tips to identify and manage universal waste under more-stringent state regulations for generators and universal waste handlers in California.

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.