EPA Proposes Significant Rollbacks to Chemical Safety Rules

WASHINGTON — In a major regulatory pivot, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced proposed revisions to the Risk Management Program (RMP) rule, the nation’s primary defense against catastrophic industrial chemical releases. The proposal, unveiled on February 13, 2026, largely seeks to roll back stricter safety measures implemented in 2024, aiming to reduce compliance burdens on industrial facilities and realign requirements with workplace safety standards.

The move fulfills a long-standing goal of industry trade groups and aligns with the current administration’s broader deregulation agenda, but it has sparked fierce opposition from environmental justice advocates and public safety groups.

Key Proposed Changes to the RMP Rule

The EPA’s proposed revisions aim to streamline compliance and alleviate financial burdens on covered facilities. Key changes include:

• Safer Technology Evaluations: The proposal would significantly scale back requirements for chemical manufacturers to evaluate and implement safer technologies and alternatives to hazardous processes.
• Third-Party Audits: The EPA is proposing to eliminate mandatory third-party audit requirements for facilities with a history of accidents, reverting to self-audit protocols.
• Information Sharing: Key provisions requiring facilities to make chemical hazard information available to local communities and first responders in user-friendly formats would be rescinded, citing “security concerns” for limiting public data access.
• Employee Participation: The proposal would limit requirements for employee consultation on safety procedures, process hazard analysis, and incident investigations.
• Natural Hazards and Power Loss: The EPA proposes to remove specific regulatory emphasis on addressing natural hazards (like floods or earthquakes) and ensuring backup power for monitoring equipment in facility safety planning.

Industry Pushback vs. Public Health Concerns

The battle over the RMP rule is emblematic of a “pendulum swing” between administrations. The industry argues that the 2024 strengthened rules were too expensive and duplicative of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.

Looking Ahead

The EPA will accept public comments on the proposal until April 10, 2026, after which a final rule will be formulated. The tightening timeline for comments—with a virtual public hearing scheduled just 14 days after the initial release—has been criticized by advocacy groups as rushing the process.