In December 2024, the US EPA issued a final rule regulating TCE. The rule bans the manufacture (including import), processing, and distribution in commerce of TCE for all uses, with longer compliance timeframes and stringent worker protections for some processing and industrial and commercial uses until the prohibitions come into effect.
The EPA will prohibit most TCE uses, including manufacturing and commercial processing, within one year, protecting consumers and workers. Limited industrial uses will be phased out over longer timeframes with stringent worker protections, such as a Workplace Chemical Protection Plan and inhalation exposure limits. Exemptions for certain critical uses, like cleaning aircraft parts, manufacturing battery separators, and refrigerants, allow time to transition to alternatives while maintaining national security and infrastructure. Full prohibition of TCE is planned for all uses.
Read more about the final rule here.