EPA Amends Punishing 2024 Ethylene Oxide Rule
The Environmental Protection Agency is moving to revise a punishing emissions regulation made by the previous administration (Associated Press).
What’s going on: The EPA announced last Friday that it is proposing amendments to the 2024 final rule for National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Ethylene Oxide Commercial Sterilization Facilities.
Why the revision is crucial: The EPA “said it is concerned that the current Biden-era standards ‘actively threaten’ manufacturers’ abilities to sterilize equipment and ‘jeopardize one of America’s only options for a secure domestic supply chain of essential medical equipment.’”
- Indeed, in 2024, the NAM said the rule constituted a “significant burden” to manufacturers.
What’s next: The EPA is expected to reconsider the related Hazardous Organic National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants this summer.
- That rule, the “HON Rule,” also concerns EtO but applies to different facilities.
The NAM’s view: “The EPA’s move late last week to revise the 2024 Sterilizer rule is great progress toward lessening the burden on manufacturers and ensuring Americans have access to clean and safe medical equipment,” said NAM Director of Chemicals, Materials and Sustainability Policy Reagan Giesenschlag.
- “The NAM also encourages timely reconsideration of the HON this year.”