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.
TCE is used in several small business industries: TCE is used as a solvent in consumer and commercial products such as cleaning and furniture care products, degreasers, brake cleaners, sealants, lubricants, adhesives, paints and coatings, arts and crafts spray coatings, cleaning medical equipment and is also used in the manufacture of some refrigerants. 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.