G/TBT/N/USA/2008/Rev.1

30 March 2026

(26-2508)

Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade

Original: English

2.

Agency responsible:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

3.

Notified under Article 2.9.2 [X], 2.10.1 [ ], 5.6.2 [ ], 5.7.1 [ ], 3.2 [ ], 7.2 [ ], Other:

4.

Products covered (HS codes or national tariff lines. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Perchloroethylene (PCE); Environmental protection (ICS code(s): 13.020); Occupational safety. Industrial hygiene (ICS code(s): 13.100); Production in the chemical industry (ICS code(s): 71.020); Products of the chemical industry (ICS code(s): 71.100)

5.

Details of notified document(s) (title, number of pages and languages, means of access): Perchloroethylene (PCE) and Carbon Tetrachloride (CTC); Regulation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); Compliance Date Extensions; (8 page(s), in English)

Link to notified document(s) and/or contact details for agency or authority which can provide copies upon request:

https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2026/TBT/USA/26_01746_00_e.pdf

6.

Description of content: Proposed rule - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) is proposing to extend certain compliance dates applicable to certain entities subject to the regulation of perchloroethylene (PCE) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). EPA is proposing to extend certain Workplace Chemical Protection Program (WCPP) compliance dates for non-federal owners and operators to match the compliance dates for federal agencies and their contractors. For both PCE and CTC, this proposal would extend the compliance date for initial monitoring for inhalation exposure to 21 June 2027, and extend the compliance date to meet the existing chemical exposure limit (ECEL), establish a regulated area, provide any required respiratory personal protective equipment (PPE), and establish a respiratory PPE program to 20 September 2027. For PCE, EPA is also proposing to extend the compliance date for non-federal entities to establish and implement an exposure control plan to 20 December 2027.

7.

Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable: Protection of human health or safety; Protection of the environment; Cost saving and productivity enhancement

8.

Relevant documents:

91 Federal Register (FR) 14790, 27 March 2026; Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 751:

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-03-27/html/2026-05977.htm

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-03-27/pdf/2026-05977.pdf

This proposed rule is identified by Docket Number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2026-0992. The Docket Folder is available from Regulations.gov at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-HQ-OPPT-2026-0992/document and provides access to primary and supporting documents as well as comments received. Documents are also accessible from Regulations.gov by searching the Docket Number.

Previous actions notified under the symbol G/TBT/N/USA/2008 are identified by Docket Number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0720. The Docket Folder is available from Regulations.gov at https://www.regulations.gov/docket/EPA-HQ-OPPT-2020-0720/document and provides access to primary and supporting documents as well as comments received. Documents are also accessible from Regulations.gov by searching the Docket Number.

Relevant notifications:

• G/TBT/N/USA/2024/Add.1

9.

Proposed date of adoption: To be determined

Proposed date of entry into force: To be determined

10.

Provision of comments

Final date for comments: 27 April 2026

[ ] 60 days from notification

WTO Members and their stakeholders are asked to submit comments to the USA TBT Enquiry Point by or before 4pm Eastern Time on 27 April 2026. Comments received by the USA TBT Enquiry Point from WTO Members and their stakeholders will be shared with EPA and will also be submitted to the Docket on Regulations.gov if received within the comment period.

Contact details of agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification:

Please submit comments to: USA WTO TBT Enquiry Point, Email: usatbtep@nist.gov