Message to the Congress on Regulatory Relief for Certain Stationary Sources To Promote American Security With Respect to Sterile Medical Equipment

To the Congress of the United States:

Consistent with applicable law, including section 112(i)(4) of the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. 7412(i)(4), I hereby report that I have issued a proclamation providing exemption for certain stationary sources from compliance with the final rule published by the Environmental Protection Agency titled National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Ethylene Oxide Emissions Standards for Sterilization Facilities Residual Risk and Technology Review, 89 FR 24090 (EtO Rule), which imposes new emissions-control requirements on commercial sterilization facilities.

As reflected in the proclamation of July 17, 2025 (Regulatory Relief for Certain Stationary Sources to Promote American Security with Respect to Sterile Medical Equipment) (Proclamation), the use of ethylene oxide is critical for the sterilization of medical equipment, which protects patients against infection and the transmission of disease. The continued utilization of ethylene oxide by commercial sterilization facilities is essential to ensuring that our Nation provides its sick and injured with the best outcomes possible—an objective that is at the forefront of the Federal Government's responsibility to the American people.

In the Proclamation, I determined that the technology to implement the EtO Rule is not available. Such technology does not exist in a commercially viable form sufficient to allow implementation of and compliance with the EtO Rule by the compliance dates set forth in the EtO Rule. I further determined in the Proclamation that it is in the national security interests of the United States to issue an exemption from the EtO Rule to certain stationary sources subject to the EtO Rule, as identified in Annex I of the Proclamation. This exemption applies to all compliance deadlines established under the EtO Rule, with each such deadline extended by 2 years from the date originally required for such deadline.

I am enclosing a copy of the Proclamation I have issued and Annex I thereto.

DONALD J. TRUMP

The White House,

July 21, 2025.