EPA Loosens PFAS Reporting, Extends TCE and Methylene Chloride Deadlines
EPA Loosens PFAS Reporting, Extends TCE and Methylene Chloride Deadlines
The EPA made three moves in mid-November that directly affect chemical handlers: it proposed cutting PFAS reporting requirements, extended methylene chloride compliance deadlines by 18 months, and postponed TCE exemption rules. All three changes reduce near-term regulatory burden — but they also shift timelines that labs, manufacturers, and distributors need to track.
What Changed with PFAS Reporting
On November 10, the EPA proposed exempting PFAS in mixtures and products at concentrations of 0.1% or lower by weight. The agency is also considering raising that threshold to 1%. Additional exemptions cover small-quantity R&D manufacturing and PFAS produced as manufacturing byproducts.
The EPA estimates these carve-outs would save industry over $700 million in reporting costs while preserving the core requirements of the 2023 PFAS reporting rule under TSCA Section 8(a)(7).
For chemical suppliers handling products that contain trace PFAS — surfactants, coatings, some water treatment formulations — this could eliminate a significant paperwork burden. But the rule isn't final. Public comment will determine whether the 0.1% or 1% threshold survives.
Methylene Chloride: 18 More Months
On November 13, the EPA extended compliance deadlines for methylene chloride (DCM, CAS 75-09-2) under TSCA. The new timeline for nonfederal laboratories:
- Initial exposure monitoring: November 9, 2026
- Regulated areas established: February 8, 2027
- Exposure control plans complete: May 10, 2027
Labs using methylene chloride for extractions, paint stripping, or cleaning now have until late 2026 to set up monitoring. That's breathing room — but not a free pass. The underlying exposure limits haven't changed, and OSHA's existing PEL of 25 ppm still applies today.
TCE Exemption Date Pushed to February 2026
On November 14, the EPA postponed the effective date for TSCA Section 6(g) exemption requirements for trichloroethylene (TCE, CAS 79-01-6) to February 17, 2026. This primarily affects industrial users with strict workplace controls — aerospace parts degreasing being the big one.
TCE is already heavily restricted. The postponement gives facilities currently operating under time-limited exemptions a few more months to demonstrate compliance with the engineering and administrative controls required to keep their exemptions active.
What to Do Now
If you're using methylene chloride in a lab setting, mark November 2026 on your calendar for initial monitoring — don't wait until the deadline. For TCE users operating under TSCA exemptions, confirm your engineering controls meet Section 6(g) requirements before the February 2026 effective date.
Review your PFAS reporting obligations now. If your products contain PFAS below 0.1%, the proposed rule could remove your reporting requirement entirely — but only once it's finalized.
Alliance's Take
Alliance Chemical supplies TCE in Technical and ACS Reagent grades for aerospace, laboratory, and industrial degreasing applications. Every lot ships with a Certificate of Analysis and full SDS — the traceability you need when these TSCA compliance deadlines hit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What changed with EPA PFAS reporting requirements?
The EPA proposed exempting PFAS in mixtures and products at concentrations of 0.1% or lower by weight, with consideration to raise the threshold to 1%. Additional exemptions cover small-quantity R&D manufacturing and PFAS produced as manufacturing byproducts. The EPA estimates these changes would save industry over $700 million in reporting costs.
What are the new methylene chloride compliance deadlines?
The EPA extended deadlines for nonfederal laboratories: initial exposure monitoring is due November 9, 2026; regulated areas must be established by February 8, 2027; and exposure control plans must be complete by May 10, 2027. OSHA's existing PEL of 25 ppm still applies.
When is the new TCE exemption effective date?
The EPA postponed the effective date for TSCA Section 6(g) exemption requirements for trichloroethylene (TCE) to February 17, 2026. This primarily affects industrial users in aerospace parts degreasing who operate under time-limited exemptions.
How do these EPA changes affect chemical suppliers and handlers?
For suppliers handling products with trace PFAS (surfactants, coatings, water treatment formulations), the proposed PFAS rule could eliminate significant paperwork burden. Labs using methylene chloride have until late 2026 to set up monitoring. TCE users should confirm engineering controls meet Section 6(g) requirements before the February 2026 effective date.
