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EPA Proposes to Ban Trichloroethylene, Including Imports

EPA is proposing to ban all imports of trichloroethylene, as well as all manufacturing, use and distribution of the solvent, it said in an Oct. 31 notice. The effective date of the ban would depend on use, with the general ban taking effect six months after a final rule is published, but bans for some uses taking effect in seven to 50 years. Comments are due by Dec. 15.

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The proposal also would set record-keeping requirements on uses that are not subject to the ban after one year, including “invoices and bills-of-lading” that “demonstrate compliance with the prohibitions, restrictions, and other provisions of this proposed regulation.” Importers and manufacturers also would have to provide downstream notification of prohibitions via safety data sheets.

Uses with later compliance dates include the use as an intermediate for the manufacture of the hydrofluorocarbon HFC-134a, which would only be banned eight and a half years after the final rule is published, and some uses as a solvent for batch vapor degreasing, which would take effect one year after the final rule is published.

Other bans with delayed compliance dates include use as a processing aid for battery separator manufacturing; use as a laboratory chemical; and certain uses related to rocket engine manufacturing and cleaning.