Overview

• 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.