On July 8, 2024, a ban issued by the EPA on use of methylene chloride in most industrial applications, including printing, went into effect. Methylene chloride is commonly found in spot removers used by apparel decorators as well as other products used across the printing industry.

Despite being less than a year since it went into effect, the implications are already being felt in the decorated apparel community. Gary Jones, PRINTING United Alliance’s vice president of environmental, health, and safety affairs breaks down the current state of the ban, changes that are already happening, as well as OSHA’s involvement surrounding methylene chloride.

Key Updates on Methylene Chloride Ban Effects

• There are some upcoming deadlines that printers should pay attention to as it relates to when the chemical must officially be phased out
• OSHA is citing shops for methylene chloride-related violations, with it being the 11th most-cited violation for printing companies
• 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: gjones@printing.org and sosorio@printing.org