EPA proposes revisions to 2024 final rule on ethylene oxide emissions

The Environmental Protection Agency March 13 released a proposed rule to revise and rescind requirements on emissions from commercial facilities that sterilize medical devices and other equipment using ethylene oxide gas. The proposal repeals requirements established by the previous administration in a 2024 final rule, which significantly reduced EtO emissions. The EPA said that the requirements established in the 2024 final rule "actively threaten facilities' ability to sterilize equipment and jeopardize one of America's only options for a secure domestic supply chain of essential medical equipment." The agency added that the previous administration did not have statutory authority under the Clean Air Act to conduct a second residual risk review after already completing one as required by law.