EPA Extends Comment Periods for Proposed Bans on TCE

The Environmental Protection Agency will allow more time for comments on two recent proposals that would ban the use of trichloroethylene (TCE) for certain uses, it said (here). Comments are now due March 16 on a December proposed rule that would prohibit the manufacture (including import), processing and distribution in commerce of TCE for use in aerosol degreasing and for spot cleaning in dry cleaning facilities; prohibit the commercial use of TCE for aerosol degreasing and for spot cleaning in dry cleaning facilities; and require manufacturers, processors and distributors, except for retailers, to provide downstream notification of these prohibitions throughout the supply chain as well as associated recordkeeping requirements (see 1612160034). The period for comments is extended until April 19 on a January proposed rule (here) that would "prohibit the manufacture (including import), processing and distribution in commerce of TCE for use in vapor degreasing; prohibit commercial use of TCE in vapor degreasing; require manufacturers, processors and distributors, except for retailers of TCE for any use, to provide downstream notification of these prohibitions throughout the supply chain; and require limited recordkeeping.