EPA Proposes Extensions to Certain TCE Deadlines

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is used in certain chemical manufacturing processes, including as a processing aid and as a raw material for producing the refrigerant HFC-134a. In 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted restrictions under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to address the health risks associated with TCE. The rule set different deadlines for ending or phasing out its uses.

EPA is now proposing to give certain chemical processors and refrigerant manufacturers more time to meet specific requirements. The proposal, published on 14 October 2026, would move the affected deadlines to 31 December 2027. It would not extend all deadlines under the TCE rule.

Which deadlines would change?

For certain chemical processing activities, EPA proposes moving the deadline from 18 December 2026 to 31 December 2027. This would cover:

• Processing TCE as a reactant or intermediate in chemical manufacturing.
• Processing TCE for, and using it as, a processing aid in specified applications, including battery manufacturing, polymer fibre spinning, fluoroelastomer and Alcantara manufacturing, caprolactam production and beta-cyclodextrin production.
• Disposal of TCE in wastewater from the covered activities to specified treatment facilities.

A separate change would affect manufacturers using TCE to produce HFC-134a. Their deadline for reducing annual TCE feedstock use to no more than 75% of the baseline would move from 7 June 2027 to 31 December 2027. This concerns one step in the phase-out schedule, rather than the final phase-out date.

Why is EPA proposing an extension?

EPA says information received after the 2024 rule highlighted difficulties with the transition. These include the transfer of TCE-containing byproduct streams between chemical manufacturing sites, where an earlier prohibition could disrupt the production of other chemicals.

For HFC-134a, EPA points to continued demand from military, industrial and medical applications. The proposed extension would give manufacturers more time before reducing their use of TCE feedstock.

What does this mean for companies?

The proposed dates are not yet in effect. Companies should not treat 31 December 2027 as an approved extension or assume that it applies to every use of TCE.

The proposal also includes changes to the restriction notices supplied to customers through safety data sheets (SDSs). If adopted as proposed, the revised SDS wording would be required 30 days after publication of the final rule.

Comments are due by 13 November 2026 and can be submitted through Regulations.gov under docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2026-7327.

Source: EPA proposed rule: Trichloroethylene (TCE); Regulation Under TSCA; Compliance Date Extensions , Federal Register, 14 October 2026.