EPA Publishes Draft Risk Evaluation for trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has published a draft TSCA risk evaluation for trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, a substance used in solvents, cleaning and degreasing products, and industrial processes. EPA has preliminarily identified unreasonable risks to human health from certain conditions of use.

The assessment is relevant to chemical manufacturers and importers, formulators and businesses using the substance in their operations. It also considers consumer exposure during the use of products containing trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, including cleaners and degreasers.

What EPA has assessed

The draft examines exposure during manufacture, processing, use and disposal. It considers risks to workers, people working nearby, consumers and communities exposed through environmental releases, as well as risks to the environment.

EPA is seeking further information on how the substance is used in practice. Its questions include exposure controls and personal protective equipment, vapour degreasing operations, and its incorporation into formulations and mixtures, including solvents used in semiconductor manufacturing.

These questions make the assessment relevant beyond suppliers of the substance itself. Companies using affected formulations may hold information on operating conditions and worker exposure that is not available from product composition data alone.

No new product restriction at this stage

The draft evaluation does not introduce a ban, a concentration limit or a new reporting requirement. Its purpose is to establish whether the substance presents an unreasonable risk under its conditions of use.

EPA will consider public comments and input from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Chemicals before issuing its final risk evaluation. The findings could form the basis for subsequent risk management measures under TSCA.

The notice was published in the Federal Register on 27 August 2026 and set a comment deadline of 26 October 2026. The supporting documents are available under docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2018-0465.

Source: EPA – trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene Draft Risk Evaluation Under TSCA , Federal Register, 27 August 2026.