Plan now for Trichloroethylene (TCE) ban
In December 2024, EPA issued a final rule regulating TCE.
The original TCE ban for industrial and commercial uses begins September 15, 2025**
The USEPA has made a final regulatory ruling regarding the use of trichloroethylene (TCE) for commercial use. However at this point, there is a temporary administrative stay on the effective date - pending further order of the court; therefore, the final rule has yet to go into effect. And, finding and vetting an alternative to TCE is still necessary to be ready for when the rule does go into effect.
What is the TCE regulation under TSCA?
In December of 2024, the USEPA issued a Final Rule regulating Trichloroethylene (TCE) prepared under the Toxic substances control act (TSCA).
The original TCE ban for industrial and commercial uses begins September 15, 2025**
In December 2024, EPA issued a final rule regulating TCE. The rule bans the manufacture (including import), processing, and distribution in commerce of TCE for all uses, with longer compliance timeframes and stringent worker protections for some processing and industrial and commercial uses until the prohibitions come into effect. The rule will protect consumers, workers, occupational non-users and bystanders from the harmful health effects of TCE. The rule was originally intended to take effect on January 16, 2025.
** However
By an order dated January 16, 2025, the Third Circuit left the temporary administrative stay of the effective date in place pending further order of the court; therefore, the final rule has yet to go into effect. EPA published a federal register notice further postponing the effective date of all the requirements associated with TSCA section 6(g) exemptions in the final TCE rule for 90 days until June 20, 2025, pending judicial review. Additionally, EPA has asked the court for more time to determine our next steps and to extend our deadline to respond to the stay for another 60 days. EPA is awaiting that response and will provide more information as it becomes available.” reference: Risk Management for Trichloroethylene (TCE) website
Do I need to stop using TCE? Yes…Eventually
As noted in the EPA tce-fact-sheet.pdf (dated Jan.2025) all uses of TCE are to be eventually prohibited and both industrial and commercial uses of TCE are prohibited after September 15, 2025. The fact-sheet notes…a workplace chemical protection program (WCPP) is required for a limited number of conditions of use of TCE where a phase-out will take longer than one year. Some of these uses include vapor degreasing.
Even through the final rule has yet to go into effect…
the fact sheet notes all uses of TCE are eventually prohibited.
So now is the time to find TCE alternatives…especially if you are vapor degreasing.
Review the USEPA tce-fact-sheet here: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2024-12/tce-fact-sheet.pdf
What to do now that the EPA is proposing a Final Regulatory Ruling on TCE?
In order to continue vapor degreasing, your company will need to find an alternative to TCE…sooner than later.
There are 2 viable solvent alternatives that enable you to continue using your current vapor degreasing equipment:
OPTION 1: Switch to n-Propyl Bromide (nPB)
OPTION 2: Use a trans-DCE blends - that typically use fluorinated molecules as part of the formulation.
OPTION 1: GenTech nPB – Direct Replacement for TCE
Non-flammable - no-chlorine, no-fluorine
Distillable
Can be used in your current vapor degreasing equipment
Broad metal compatibility
160°F boiling point
High solvency power
Always in stock and ready to ship
Economical Solvent Disposal Program available
| Performance Properties | GenTech™ | TCE |
| Boiling Point | 160° F / 71° C | 188° F / 87° C |
| Flash Point | None | None |
| Evaporation Rate | 4.5 | 3.0 |
| Azeoptropic | Yes | Yes |
| Broad Metal Compatibility | Yes | Yes |
| Hydrolosis Reaction | Yes - Requires Stabilizers | Yes - Requires Stabilizers |
| Distillable | Yes | Yes |
| Kauri Butanol Value | 129 | 125 | Continued Use | Requires EH&S changes to continue to use | No continued use after Sept. 2025 |
OPTION 2: AeroTron-AV – The Alternative that works as effectively as TCE
Non-flammable - trans-DCE blend*
Distillable
Can be used in your current vapor degreasing equipment
Broad metal compatibility
116°F boiling point
High solvency power
Always in stock and ready to ship common carrier
Economical Solvent Disposal Program available
*What is a trans-DCE blend? Some alternatives for TCE are trans-DCE blends - which means that they are a blend of trans-1,2-Dichloroethene(trans-DCE) and a fluorinated molecule. The fluorinated molecule makes the blend be non-flammable and the 1.2.trans does the cleaning. And not all fluorinated molecules are created equal; in that - not all are PFASs (polyfluoroalkyl substances) are unfavorable under the federal PFAS regulations. PFAS is a complicated topic which we are happy to discuss with you. contact us.
| Performance Properties | AeroTron™-AV | TCE |
|---|---|---|
| Boiling Point | 116° F / 47° C | 188° F / 87° C |
| Flash Point, by ASTM D93-TCC | None | None |
| Evaporation Rate | Quickly & Completely | Quickly |
| Azeotropic Composition | Yes | Yes |
| Broad Metal Compatibility | Yes | Yes |
| Hydrolysis | Highly Stable | Not stable-requires stabilizers |
| Distillable | Yes | Yes |
| Kauri Butanol Value | 93 | 125 |
Why change your whole cleaning process when you can just
simply change your solvent?
Consider an ULTRA NESHAP Compliant Vapor Degreaser with Automation
All Reliance ULTRA Vapor Degreasers are NESHAP compliant and support the use of TCE alternative solvents.
Reliance ULTRA vapor degreasers offer a variety of automated options that support your continued use of vapor degreasing in your cleaning operation.
By limiting exposure to the solvent with hoists or automated basket handing systems, you can reduce worker exposure while providing consistent part cleaning.
Conclusion
The USEPA is in the process of reviewing its final ruling for the use of TCE in industrial applications. To this end, changes are coming. So, being prepared with a plan is a must. Companies are using this additional time to find and vet a TCE alternative.
If you are interested in continuing to use a vapor degreaser in your cleaning operation - Reliance can help with 2 very viable and excellent options:
OPTION 1 - move into nPB. We have been a manufacturer of nPB for many years and will continue to be. nPB is having a renaissance as it has very similar cleaning capabilities to TCE and with the proper PPE & a Workplace Chemical Protection Program (WCPP), you can use nPB advantageously. So please give us a call to discuss your operation and how to transition to nPB.
OPTION 2 - use a trans-DCE blend. If you are concerned about the future of nPB – we have our Advanced solvents which allow you to keep vapor degreasing and are as effective at contaminant removal as TCE.
Reliance knows vapor degreasing will be around for many years to come - as it is a very efficient, effective way to clean lots of parts-fast. Therefore, investigating TCE alternatives like the GenTech nPB or our AeroTron-AV and/or upgrading your equipment might be a smart, fast, affordable move.
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Give us a call or contact us to discuss your application and how Reliance’s comprehensive vapor degreasing package can support your industrial parts cleaning operation. We can test clean parts in our lab and share our recommendations for optimized cleaning.
At Reliance, we take a comprehensive, systemic approach to supporting our customers to finding solution to their cleaning needs. Reliance Technical Support Department at 847-640-8923. We are glad to be of assistance.
