EPA Enacts Comprehensive Ban on Methylene Chloride in Consumer Products

The new regulations aim to eliminate the use of the toxic chemical in consumer and most commercial applications, while maintaining certain critical uses with stringent safety measures.

The EPA's final rule bans methylene chloride in all consumer products and most commercial applications, set to take effect within two years.
Certain critical uses of the chemical, such as in military and industrial processes, will continue under strict safety protocols.
The decision follows decades of advocacy and numerous fatalities linked to the chemical's use in workplaces.
Industry groups express concern over the rule's impact on supply chains and regulatory consistency.
The rule is part of broader Biden administration efforts to regulate hazardous chemicals, following recent actions on substances like asbestos and PFAS.