Your Chlorinated Brake Cleaner Is Going Away
The EPA has issued a rule that phases PERC, the chemical in most chlorinated brake cleaners, out of the supply chain. Manufacturing stopped in June 2026, distributors must stop supplying retailers on December 8, 2026, and retailers must stop selling it on March 8, 2027.[1] Suppliers are already cutting off orders. Here's the short version of what you need to know.
The Short Version
Most chlorinated brake cleaners on the market use a chemical called PERC (perchloroethylene). The EPA ruled it's too hazardous for continued use and banned it. Suppliers are setting final order dates now. Once current stock is gone, it's gone.
If you're using chlorinated brake cleaner, you'll need to switch. The good news: compliant alternatives already exist and work just as well.
Why PERC Is Being Banned
PERC is a strong solvent that is effective at cutting grease, which is why it ended up in brake cleaners. The problem is extended exposure is hard on your body. The EPA found links to liver damage, kidney damage, and cancer risk -- especially for workers using it in shops and enclosed spaces day after day.³
This isn't a new concern. It's been building for years, and the EPA finalized the ban in December 2024.
What the Timeline Looks Like
June 11, 2026: Manufacturing and importing of PERC for brake cleaner and similar uses ends.²
September 9, 2026: Processing ends, so no new PERC brake cleaner can be made or canned.²
December 8, 2026: PERC products can no longer be shipped to retailers.²
March 8, 2027: No one, including distributors, can sell PERC brake cleaner.²
June 7, 2027: Shops can no longer use PERC brake cleaner.²
What You Need to Do
- Check your current brake cleaner's SDS -- does it list PERC or perchloroethylene?
- Ask your supplier if they've set a final order date on chlorinated products.
- Identify a 50-state compliant replacement before you run out.
- Switch on your schedule -- not when you're out of stock and under pressure.
A Drop-In Replacement That's Already Compliant
We carry a 50-state compliant brake cleaner that's ready to go. No reformulation coming, no supply disruption on the horizon. It's already built to meet the strictest regulations in the country.
The Bottom Line
- U.S. EPA, “Perchloroethylene (PCE); Regulation Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA),” Final Rule, 89 FR 103560, December 18, 2024. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/18/2024-30117/perchloroethylene-pce-regulation-under-the-toxic-substances-control-act-tsca
- 40 CFR 751.605(b)(1)??"(6), as amended through July 28, 2026. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/section-751.605
- U.S. EPA, “2024 Final Risk Management Rule for Perchloroethylene under TSCA” (fact sheet). https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2025-01/pce-fact-sheet_english.pdf