OVERVIEW OF METHYLENE CHLORIDE
REGION
EUROPEAN UNION
EUROPEAN UNION
In January 2016 dichloromethane (DCM) was included in the so-called Restriction List (Annex XVII) of the REACH Regulation under Entry no. 59. DCM was therefore not allowed anymore in the EU for use in paint strippers. The use of DCM in industrial parts cleaning is not affected by this restriction and therefore still allowed.
In July 2021 Italy published its Substance Evaluation Report for DCM and concluded that a revised harmonized classification for DCM is needed. Currently, DCM is classified as cancerogen category 2, meaning suspected of causing cancer. With its current classification DCM does not meet the criteria for Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC).
Italy proposed a re-classification to cancerogen cat 1B, meaning may cause cancer, and mutagen category 2, meaning suspected of causing mutagenic effects. If the classification with cancerogen 1B is accepted, DCM will meet the criteria as SVHC.
A public consultation for comments on the proposed classification was open until November 2023. Currently, the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) is reviewing the received comments.
If the new classification will be accepted, DCM would eventually become an SVHC and will sooner or later be identified as substance which needs an authorisation (Substance on Annex XIV of REACH). In that case, the use of DCM will only be possible, if the user of the substance has a granted authorisation.
SAFECHEM will closely monitor the process and will inform as soon as new information is available.
Brief profile DCM: Brief Profile - ECHA (europa.eu)
UNITED STATES
Currently, various brominated and chlorinated solvents are regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). This includes dichloromethane (DCM), also known as methylene chloride, as well as perchloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), 1-bromopropane (nPB), and trans-dichloroethylene (t-DCE).
On April 30, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a risk management rule for methylene chloride under TSCA. The final rule was published in the Federal Register on May 8, 2024, and became effective on July 8, 2024. The rule prohibits the manufacture, processing, distribution, and use of methylene chloride for all consumer uses and for most industrial and commercial uses, including industrial parts cleaning applications. Most prohibited uses are being phased out within two years of the rule's effective date.
Only a limited number of critical industrial and commercial uses are permitted to continue under a Workplace Chemical Protection Program (WCPP). These uses were determined by EPA to be important for national security, critical infrastructure, or economic activities where alternatives are currently limited. The permitted uses include:
- Production of other chemicals, including refrigerants that support the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs).
- Manufacture of battery separators for electric vehicles.
- Use as a processing aid in closed systems.
- Use as a laboratory chemical.
- Use in plastic and rubber manufacturing, including polycarbonate production.
- Use in solvent welding.
In addition, certain uses required by NASA, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) may continue under a time-limited exemption of up to ten years, subject to stringent workplace protection requirements.
Workplace Chemical Protection Program (WCPP)
For uses that remain permitted, EPA established strict workplace protection requirements, including:
- An Existing Chemical Exposure Limit (ECEL) of 2 ppm as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA).
- An ECEL Action Level of 1 ppm.
- Additional exposure monitoring, worker protection, training, recordkeeping, and notification requirements.
These exposure limits are substantially more stringent than existing OSHA exposure limits and are intended to ensure that workers are adequately protected from unreasonable risks associated with methylene chloride exposure.
Compliance Date Extension for Laboratories
In November 2025, EPA published a final rule extending certain WCPP compliance deadlines for non-federal laboratories by 18 months. The extension aligns the compliance schedule for non-federal laboratories with the schedule already applicable to federal laboratories and their contractors. EPA introduced the extension after receiving feedback that many laboratories, particularly universities and public-sector laboratories, faced challenges implementing exposure monitoring and compliance measures within the original timeframe.
The revised compliance deadlines for non-federal laboratories are:
| Requirement | New Compliance Date |
| Initial exposure monitoring | November 9, 2026 |
| Compliance with ECEL, establishment of regulated areas, and implementation of respiratory and dermal protection measures | February 8, 2027 |
| Implementation of exposure control plans and compliance methods | May 10, 2027 |
Prohibition Timeline for Industrial Parts Cleaning
For most industrial uses, including the use of methylene chloride in industrial parts cleaning and degreasing applications, the manufacture, processing, and distribution of methylene chloride became subject to a phase-out period of two years following the effective date of the rule. Consequently, these uses are generally prohibited as of July 8, 2026.
Regulatory Outlook
EPA continues to maintain its overall approach of prohibiting most consumer and industrial uses of methylene chloride while allowing a limited number of critical uses under stringent workplace controls. Companies that continue to use methylene chloride under one of the permitted conditions should closely monitor EPA communications and ensure compliance with applicable WCPP requirements and phase-out schedules. epa.gov
Further information:
CHINA
China has filed a notice in relation to the so-called Blue Sky Plan in 2019, which aims to improve air quality in several big cities in China. This notice was the starting point for several legislative actions regulating and restricting air quality-affecting topics.
Under this plan a new Chinese standard was published in 2020 which regulates volatile organic compounds (VOC) in cleaning agents (GB 38508-2020). The regulation was released as a national standard in March 2020, followed by implementation on December 1st 2020.
The standard provides limit requirements for VOC, test methods and package marks of cleaning agents. This standard is applicable to cleaning agents containing VOC produced and used in industrial production and service activities. This standard is NOT applicable to cleaning agents used in aerospace, nuclear industry, military industry and semiconductor (including integrated circuit) manufacturing. These areas of industrial production are exempted.
Dichloromethane (DCM) is listed in this standard and therefore falls under this restriction. According to the standard, cleaning agents with a content of ≥ 20% of DCM may for example not be used in industrial production and service activities. Cleaning agents with a VOC content of ≥ 900 g/L may not be used in industrial production and service activities. The standard also defines the limit of VOC content in a cleaning product and therefore alternative formulations are needed in order to meet the requirement.
DCM supplied by SAFECHEM in China can only be used in the industries exempted from the standard, which include aerospace, nuclear industry, military industry and semiconductor (including integrated circuit) manufacturing.
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