On July 30, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced in the Federal Register its intention to reevaluate existing regulations for tetrachloroethylene (PCE) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), initiating a 30-day public comment period through August 29, 2025. This marks a crucial phase in the comprehensive reassessment of PCE regulations that could significantly impact operations in dry cleaning and metal degreasing industries.
Background
PCE, a cornerstone solvent in dry cleaning, has faced sustained scrutiny over its carcinogenic potential and environmental persistence. In December 2024, EPA finalized risk management rules mandating workplace exposure limits, restricted commercial uses, and consumer exposure reduction measures. Subsequent legal challenges led to a Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals stay in 2025, creating regulatory review opportunities.
In May 2025, EPA formalized plans to revise regulations under Executive Order 14219 ("Ensuring Lawful Governance and Regulatory Efficiency Reform," effective February 2025), emphasizing stakeholder engagement to refine oversight frameworks.
Request for Comment
EPA is specifically seeking input on the following issues:
- The Existing Chemical Exposure Limit (ECEL) of 0.14 parts per million (ppm) as an 8-hour time weighted average (8-hr TWA) promulgated in the PCE final rule as part of the Workplace Chemical Protection Program (WCPP) (see 40 CFR 751.603 and 751.607(b)), including whether the use of a different exposure limit would be more appropriate to inform risk management. Different exposure limits might include but are not limited to: the acute non-cancer exposure limit of 0.50 ppm (8-hr TWA) and the lifetime cancer exposure limit of 0.47 ppm (8-hr TWA) as presented in the Existing Chemical Exposure Limit (ECEL) for Occupational Use of Perchloroethylene Memo available at https://www.regulations.gov/document/EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0720-0043.
- Conditions of use the Agency could contemplate subjecting to a WCPP as opposed to imposing a prohibition. Information such as workplace controls currently in place or other information demonstrating how regulated parties could mitigate the unreasonable risk of PCE for the condition of use would be most helpful to the Agency.
- The use of PCE in industrial dry cleaning processes including workplace controls that reduce exposure to PCE and the performance of alternatives to PCE in these operations.
Comments must be submitted by 29 August 2025 through the federal portal at www.regulations.gov. Reference Docket ID EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0720. Do not include any information claimed as Confidential Business Information (CBI) or otherwise restricted by law.
Further Information
