EPA Extends Compliance Dates for Perchloroethylene and Carbon Tetrachloride TSCA Rules
Released on July 23, 2026
Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing a final rule that extends certain compliance dates in the final risk management rules for perchloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC) so that the required protections are installed correctly, maintained, and actually used to reduce exposure. This timeline adjustment does not weaken any existing protection and does not change the ultimate level of protection required. EPA’s finding that PCE and CTC present an unreasonable risk to human health is not changing, and the agency remains fully committed to TSCA's mandate to protect workers and the public from these chemicals.
In response to public comments received on the proposal released in March 2026, EPA is also finalizing extensions for the compliance date to institute a workplace information and training plan for both PCE (all entities) and CTC (non-federal entities), aligning that requirement with the related Workplace Chemical Protection Program dates so workers are trained on the controls in place at their facilities.
PCE is a solvent used in applications such as metal degreasing and certain manufacturing processes. CTC is a solvent used in commercial settings as a raw material for producing other chemicals such as refrigerants, chlorinated compounds, and agricultural products, in accordance with the Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocol.
The underlying finding that these chemicals present unreasonable risk is not being revisited. We remain committed to reducing exposure to these solvents. Our goal throughout has been to set deadlines that ensure protective controls are installed correctly, maintained, and actually used — because a control that is rushed into place and doesn't work protects no one. Aligning federal and non-federal timelines ensures all facilities operate under comparable expectations as they implement the worker chemical protection program.
Both rules are also being challenged in court. Setting compliance dates that facilities can realistically meet makes these protections more durable and enforceable. This rule revises only certain compliance dates; EPA's substantive reconsideration of the rules is ongoing. Last year, EPA took public comments on these 2024 final rules as a first step to reconsider and revise them, and the agency intends to publish proposed rules later in 2026. We welcome continued input as we work to make these protections durable and enforceable.
Learn more about PCE and CTC, and read the Federal Register notice for today’s final rule.