EPA Grants Toxic Chemical Users Extra Year to Comply—Phew!
Published Date: 10/14/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The EPA is giving companies more time—until the end of 2027—to follow new rules about using and processing trichloroethylene (TCE), a chemical used in industry and refrigerants. This extension helps businesses adjust without rushing, especially those making or using TCE in products or wastewater. If you’re involved with TCE, expect some deadline shifts but no immediate cost hikes.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
One-year delay for many TCE processing bans
If you make, process, distribute, use, or dispose of trichloroethylene (TCE) in certain chemical manufacturing, the EPA is proposing to move several prohibition deadlines to December 31, 2027. This covers processing TCE as a reactant/intermediate, many industrial and commercial uses of TCE as a processing aid (including process solvents, polymer fiber spinning, fluoroelastomer and Alcantara manufacture, caprolactam extraction solvent, and beta-cyclodextrin precipitant), and disposal of TCE to industrial or publicly owned wastewater treatment until December 31, 2027.
Short delay in HFC-134a TCE feedstock phasedown
If you manufacture the refrigerant HFC-134a using TCE as an intermediate, the EPA is proposing to change the first phaseout deadline from June 7, 2027, to December 31, 2027. Under the proposed date, manufacturers may continue to process TCE as an intermediate at annual volumes up to 75 percent of their baseline through December 31, 2027.
Update Safety Data Sheets and downstream notices
Manufacturers, processors, and distributors of TCE or TCE-containing products must update their downstream notification language and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). EPA proposes that the SDS be updated 30 days after the final rule so the SDS text accurately reflects the new prohibition compliance deadlines and allowed uses.
Small net cost savings but small forgone health benefits
EPA estimates the proposed extension would produce present value cost savings of about $0.62 to $0.65 million (2024$ in 2026) and annualized cost savings of about $0.04 to $0.06 million. EPA also estimates forgone health benefits of about $3,795 to $7,844 (2025$) because the risk-reduction actions are delayed.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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