EPA Proposes to Extend Compliance Deadlines for PCE and CTC Chemical Safety Rules Under TSCA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to extend several compliance deadlines for regulations governing perchloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). These chemicals are hazardous industrial solvents subject to strict occupational exposure controls under the Workplace Chemical Protection Program (WCPP). The proposal aims to harmonize compliance timelines between non-federal employers and federal agencies plus their contractors, which currently operate under different schedules. The extensions apply to key workplace safety requirements including inhalation exposure monitoring, meeting existing chemical exposure limits (ECELs), establishing regulated areas, and providing respiratory personal protective equipment (PPE). Under this proposal, the deadline for initial inhalation exposure monitoring for both PCE and CTC would be pushed to June 21, 2027. The deadlines to meet the ECEL, establish regulated areas, provide required respiratory PPE, and set up a respiratory PPE program would be extended to September 20, 2027. Additionally, for PCE specifically, non-federal entities would have until December 20, 2027, to establish and implement a full exposure control plan. This is a proposed rule, meaning it is open for public comment before finalization. The changes do not weaken the underlying safety standards but instead provide regulated entities additional time to achieve compliance with the existing WCPP requirements.

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