The US Environmental Protection Agency has rejected objections from environmental groups to a Biden era regulation aimed at reducing the unreasonable risk of carcinogenic solvents, and asked the federal court to postpone the review of various industry concerns until the agency can finalize a new provision. On Monday, the US Environmental Protection Agency submitted a written response to the lawsuit filed jointly by environmental groups and industry companies to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. All parties oppose a ban introduced in 2024, which plans to phase out the complete use of trichloroethylene — a substance commonly used as a degreaser and a raw material for the production of other chemical products. After the Trump administration came to power, the Environmental Protection Agency repeatedly postponed the time limit for implementation of the regulation. On the one hand, it waited for related lawsuits to proceed, and on the other hand, it simultaneously revised the provisions of the regulations. The Biden administration previously determined that even minor human exposure to this chemical can induce various conditions, including cancer, fetal heart defects, and central nervous system damage. The Environmental Protection Department said, “Industry plaintiffs' lawsuits are not yet ready for trial.” The Department plans to issue draft regulations in November 2026 and final regulations in November 2027. At that time, it will fully respond to the concerns raised by the industry.

The US Environmental Protection Agency has rejected objections from environmental groups to a Biden era regulation aimed at reducing the unreasonable risk of carcinogenic solvents, and asked the federal court to postpone the review of various industry concerns until the agency can finalize a new provision. On Monday, the US Environmental Protection Agency submitted a written response to the lawsuit filed jointly by environmental groups and industry companies to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. All parties oppose a ban introduced in 2024, which plans to phase out the complete use of trichloroethylene — a substance commonly used as a degreaser and a raw material for the production of other chemical products. After the Trump administration came to power, the Environmental Protection Agency repeatedly postponed the time limit for implementation of the regulation. On the one hand, it waited for related lawsuits to proceed, and on the other hand, it simultaneously revised the provisions of the regulations. The Biden administration previously determined that even minor human exposure to this chemical can induce various conditions, including cancer, fetal heart defects, and central nervous system damage. The Environmental Protection Department said, “Industry plaintiffs' lawsuits are not yet ready for trial.” The Department plans to issue draft regulations in November 2026 and final regulations in November 2027. At that time, it will fully respond to the concerns raised by the industry.