Trichloroethylene (TCE); Regulation of Certain Uses Under Toxic Substances Control Act; Extension of Comment Periods

EPA issued two proposed rules under section 6 of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to prohibit the manufacture (including importers), processing, and distribution in commerce of trichloroethylene (TCE) for use in aerosol degreasing, for use in spot cleaning in dry cleaning facilities, and for use in vapor degreasing; to prohibit commercial use of TCE for aerosol degreasing, for spot cleaning in dry cleaning facilities, and for use in vapor degreasing; to require manufacturers (including importers), processors, and distributors, except for retailers of TCE for any use, to provide downstream notification of these prohibitions throughout the supply chain; and to require limited recordkeeping. This document extends the comment periods for both proposed rules by an additional 30 calendar days each. A commenter requested additional time to submit written comments for the proposed rules. EPA is therefore extending the comment period in order to give all interested persons the opportunity to comment fully.