United States of America has extended workplace chemical protection compliance dates for perchloroethylene and carbon tetrachloride to 21 June 2027 under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
US Extends Compliance Dates for Toxic Chemicals
Non-federal entities must align with federal workplace safety standards by 2027.
What changed
Initial inhalation monitoring due by 21 June 2027 for perchloroethylene and carbon tetrachloride.
Non-federal requirements aligned with federal standards under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
Who it affects
Non-federal owners and operators must align compliance dates with federal agencies.
Chemical handlers must conduct initial inhalation exposure monitoring for PCE and CTC.
Key dates
Compliance Answer: Extended Workplace Chemical Protection Dates for Perchloroethylene and Carbon Tetrachloride Under TSCA
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has proposed extending certain compliance dates for workplace chemical protection requirements under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for perchloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC). The new deadlines align non-federal entities with federal agencies and their contractors, with key dates set for 21 June 2027 (initial monitoring) and 20 September 2027 (exposure limits, regulated areas, and respiratory PPE programs). For PCE, an additional extension to 20 December 2027 applies to exposure control plans1.
Regulation Analysis
1. Applicability and Scope
The proposed rule applies to non-federal owners and operators subject to TSCA’s regulation of PCE and CTC. Federal agencies and their contractors were already subject to earlier deadlines, which this extension harmonizes1.
2. Key Compliance Requirements and Deadlines
The following table summarizes the extended deadlines for non-federal entities:
| Regulation | Key Requirement | Deadline | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Monitoring | Conduct initial inhalation exposure monitoring for PCE and CTC1. | 21 June 2027 | EPA |
| Exposure Limits (ECEL) | Meet the existing chemical exposure limit (ECEL) for PCE and CTC1. | 20 September 2027 | EPA |
| Regulated Areas | Establish regulated areas where PCE or CTC are used1. | 20 September 2027 | EPA |
| Respiratory PPE | Provide required respiratory personal protective equipment (PPE)1. | 20 September 2027 | EPA |
| Respiratory PPE Program | Establish a respiratory PPE program for PCE and CTC1. | 20 September 2027 | EPA |
| Exposure Control Plan | For PCE only: Establish and implement an exposure control plan1. | 20 December 2027 | EPA |
3. Rationale for Extension
The EPA cites human health protection, environmental safety, and cost-saving/productivity enhancements as the primary objectives for the extension. The delay aims to provide non-federal entities additional time to comply with complex workplace protection requirements1.
4. Regulatory Context
- The proposed rule is published in the Federal Register (FR) at 91 FR 14790 (27 March 2026) and codified under 40 CFR Part 7511.
- The docket number for this rule is EPA-HQ-OPPT-2026-0992, accessible via1(https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-HQ-OPPT-2026-0992/document)1.
- Comments on the proposed rule were accepted until 27 April 20261.
5. Related Notifications
- This proposal revises earlier notifications under G/TBT/N/USA/2008 and G/TBT/N/USA/2024/Add.11.
- The WTO Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) notification for this rule is G/TBT/N/USA/2008/Rev.11.
Summary Answer
The EPA has proposed extending compliance dates for perchloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC) under TSCA to 21 June 2027 (initial monitoring) and 20 September 2027 (exposure limits, regulated areas, and respiratory PPE programs) for non-federal entities. For PCE, the deadline for exposure control plans is further extended to 20 December 20271. The rule aims to harmonize deadlines with federal agencies while addressing health, environmental, and economic considerations1. The proposal is documented in 91 FR 14790 and available under docket EPA-HQ-OPPT-2026-09921. Stakeholders should consult the Federal Register and 40 CFR Part 751 for full requirements1.
Sources
- ↩ Perchloroethylene (PCE) and Carbon Tetrachloride (CTC); Regulation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Compliance Date Extensions https://docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/SS/directdoc.aspx?filename=Q:/G/TBTN23/USA2008R1.pdf&Open=True