EPA Proposes New Deadline for Labs to Comply with TSCA Rules for Methylene Chloride

EPA proposed to extend, by 18 months, the deadline for non-federal laboratories to comply with workplace safety requirements for methylene chloride (MCL) established by a 2024 TSCA Final Rule.
The proposed rule would extend the deadlines for these labs to comply with the Workplace Chemical Protection Program (WCPP) for methylene chloride and related recordkeeping requirements.

Workplace Chemical Protection Program Requirements	Proposed Deadline
Initial monitoring	11/6/2026
Establishing regulated areas and ensuring compliance with the existing chemical exposure limit	2/8/2027
Ensuring methods of compliance as well as developing and implementing an exposure control plan	5/10/2027

The proposed compliance deadlines match the deadlines for labs that are owned and operated by the Federal government or its contractors.

Methylene Chloride Rule: Prohibitions and Exemptions

EPA’s 2024 methylene chloride Final Rule prohibits manufacturing, processing, and distribution of methylene chloride for all consumer uses and most industrial uses. The rule provides an exemption for "critical or essential” uses of the chemical and for cases in which a safer alternative is not feasible.

For these non-prohibited uses, the 2024 Final Rule added requirements that employers must follow to protect workers from exposure to MCL, including the workplace chemical protection program (WCPP). With respect to ongoing uses of methylene chloride, the proposed rule says:
 

EPA is proposing to extend the compliance dates for associated laboratory activities detailed in this proposal to avoid disruption of important functions such as the use of environmental monitoring methods needed for cleanup sites and wastewater treatment, as well as activities associated with university laboratories.

Find out more about the 2024 methylene chloride Final Rule, and rules for other chemicals, here. 

Chemical industry professionals can use the TSCA Activity Tracker to keep up with ongoing EPA efforts to prohibit, restrict, and regulate the use of chemicals under TSCA. 

Live: Update Your EPA Regulations Training 

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EH&S professionals who attend can identify the regulations that apply to their facility and locate key requirements to achieve compliance with the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts to EPCRA, TSCA, Superfund, and more. Prefer to train at your own pace? Try the interactive online course.

Tags: EPA, methylene chloride, TSCA