On May 8, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a Final Rule in the Federal Register titled “Methylene Chloride; Regulation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).” Pursuant to TSCA section 6(b), EPA determined that methylene chloride presents an unreasonable risk of injury to health. Although this substance was banned from use in consumer paint and coating removers in 2019, this 2024 final rule expands on those restrictions, but also allows for its “limited and controlled continued use in tandem with additional worker protections for several purposes.”
Main actions in the Final Rule include:
- Prohibits manufacturing, processing and distribution of methylene chloride for all consumer uses.
- Prohibits most industrial and commercial uses of methylene chloride, including paint and coating removers.
- Creates strict workplace protections through a Workplace Chemical Protection Program to ensure that for the remaining uses, workers will not be harmed by methylene chloride use.
- Requires manufacturers (including importers), processors, and distributors to notify companies to whom methylene chloride is shipped of the prohibitions and to maintain records.
In addition consumer use of methylene chloride will be phased out within a year. Most industrial and commercial uses will be prohibited within two years.
The use of dichloromethane will be allowed to continue but only in ways that are considered important to the country’s national security and economy including:
- Use in the production of other chemicals, including chemicals that are important in efforts to reduce global warming outlined in the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act.
- Production of battery separators for electric vehicles.
- Use as a processing aid in a closed system.
- Use as a laboratory chemical.
For a complete usage list and for more information on what you need to know, visit the original article by UL Solutions Regulatory Specialists, Chelsea Lane, posted on May 16th.
The views, opinions and technical analyses presented here are those of the author or advertiser, and are not necessarily those of ULProspector.com or UL Solutions. The appearance of this content in the UL Prospector Knowledge Center does not constitute an endorsement by UL Solutions or its affiliates.
All content is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without prior authorization from UL Solutions or the content author.
The content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. While the editors of this site may verify the accuracy of its content from time to time, we assume no responsibility for errors made by the author, editorial staff or any other contributor.
UL Solutions does not make any representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness or completeness of the content. UL Solutions does not warrant the performance, effectiveness or applicability of sites listed or linked to in any content.