Solvent Alternative

Impact of Federal Government shutdown (October 1, 2025) 
EPA’s staffing and regulatory activities are reduced during a shutdown, we should anticipate delays in processing petitions, issuing guidance, reviewing exemptions, and possible enforcement actions.

The deadlines set by the TCE rule (for compliance, downstream notification, SDS updates, exemptions under §6(g)) are still in place, but EPA may deprioritize aggressive enforcement of some deadlines tied to the extended-use categories. Notably, EPA explicitly stated that enforcement of current deadlines (pending rule amendments) is a “low enforcement priority”. 

Originally finalized on December 17, 2024, the rule prohibits nearly all manufacturing, processing, distribution, and industrial/commercial uses of TCE. The rule’s effective date, initially January 16, 2025, was stayed by the courts following multiple petitions for review. 

August 20, 2025: EPA published a notice extending the postponement of the effectiveness of all TSCA §6(g) exemption provisions until November 17, 2025, pending judicial review.

September 17, 2025: EPA issued an Interim Final Rule extending certain compliance dates for specific industrial uses.

Other prohibitions—such as those for manufacturing (March 17, 2025), processing and distribution (June 16, 2025), and general industrial use (September 15, 2025) remain in place unless otherwise exempted.
 

Current Status
The rule’s core prohibitions remain effective under the existing timelines, but portions related to exempted uses and workplace control provisions (under §6(g)) are postponed until at least November 17, 2025.

EPA has stated it will review public comments (accepted through October 17, 2025) before determining whether further amendments are necessary.

In December 2024, EPA issued a final rule regulating PCE. The rule bans many uses of PCE and establishes workplace controls, including a Workplace Chemical Protection Program and prescriptive controls, for those uses not prohibited. 

Also known as 1-bromopropane (1-BP), In December 2022, EPA released a final revised risk determination for 1-BP. The final revised risk determination finds that 1-BP, as a whole chemical, presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health under its conditions of use. Risk evaluation for 1-Bromopropane

EPA finalizes regulations under the TSCA to manage the risks associated with methylene chloride. The regulations include prohibitions on the manufacturing, processing, and distribution of methylene chloride for consumer uses. Additionally, most industrial and commercial uses, including paint and coating removers, are prohibited. Strict workplace protections are established through the Workplace Chemical Protection Program to ensure the safety of workers in remaining uses.

18 Months After Finalization (Estimated Later 2025): Workplaces will have approximately 18 months from April 2024 to comply with the Workplace Chemical Protection Program. During this time, they must implement stringent workplace controls and periodically monitor their environments to ensure that workers are not exposed to harmful levels of methylene chloride.

Future: EPA plans to hold webinars to educate stakeholders about the final risk management rule and will develop guides to help small businesses comply with the regulations. Opportunities for public and stakeholder engagement will be provided, including one-on-one meetings with EPA representatives and access to email alerts and public dockets for updates and information.