Recently, the EPA issued a final rule banning the use of methylene chloride in most industrial applications, including printing. The ban becomes effective on July 8, 2024, when the final rule was published in the Federal Register.

Gary Jones, vice president of environmental, health, and safety affairs at PRINTING United Alliance, joins Cassie Green, content director of Apparelist, to discuss the big implications this ban carries for the print industry, especially those in the apparel decorating community.

Key Takeaways

• Methylene chloride is commonly found in spot removers used by apparel decorators as well as other products used across the printing industry
• First to Know: Gary Jones wrote an in-depth article on what printers should know about this ban
• Members of PRINTING United Alliance are encouraged to contact Gary Jones and/or Sara Osorio, environmental, health and safety affairs coordinator, to discuss next steps and how to implement changes now to avoid hefty fees and employee injuries