The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) risk management rule for perchloroethylene is undergoing formal reconsideration as the US Environmental Protection Agency evaluates revisions to the 2024 PCE rule. Perchloroethylene (PCE) is used across several industrial and laboratory applications, making the regulatory direction of the rule an important operational issue for labs. EPA expects to publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in summer 2026 and finalize an amended rule in 2027. As part of this update, the agency is considering options to extend compliance dates established in the original TSCA risk management rule for perchloroethylene.
EPA outlines reconsideration of the TSCA risk management rule for perchloroethylene
EPA began reassessing the TSCA risk management rule for perchloroethylene after several legal challenges were filed following the release of the 2024 rule. Those petitions were consolidated in the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which granted a temporary abeyance pending EPA's development of a new proposed rule. EPA’s recent update confirms its plan to issue a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking around summer 2026, followed by a final rule in 2027.
The agency states that the reconsideration process must align with Executive Order 14219 and the Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative. EPA also notes that it is exploring both standard and expedited rulemaking approaches to extend certain compliance dates connected to the TSCA risk management rule for perchloroethylene.
Public comments guide EPA’s next steps
EPA opened a 30-day public comment period in late July to gather feedback on the 2024 PCE rule. The agency is now reviewing these comments as it prepares the proposed amendments.
Key components shaping the proposal
- Issues raised in legal challenges
- Public comments submitted on the 2024 PCE rule
- Requirements in Executive Order 14219
- Objectives within the Powering the Great American Comeback Initiative
EPA intends to solicit another round of comments when the NPRM is published. These inputs will inform the final version of the TSCA risk management rule for perchloroethylene.
Operational considerations for laboratories
Laboratory managers who rely on PCE in analytical workflows, cleaning steps, or legacy equipment should monitor upcoming changes to the TSCA risk management rule for perchloroethylene. Potential shifts in compliance timelines may influence:
- Implementation planning for exposure-control measures
- Review of engineering controls or procedural updates
- Assessment of alternative chemicals or technologies
- Documentation required for continued PCE use
Understanding how amended requirements may affect procurement, safety protocols, and recordkeeping can help laboratories prepare for adjustments during the rulemaking timeline.
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What comes next for the TSCA PCE rule
EPA’s schedule indicates that updates to the TSCA risk management rule for perchloroethylene will continue through 2026 and 2027. With multiple phases of public comment planned, laboratory professionals will have opportunities to provide input. Staying aware of regulatory milestones will support compliance planning as the agency revises long-term expectations for PCE management under TSCA.
This article was created with the assistance of Generative AI and has undergone editorial review before publishing.
