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SCAQMD Rule 1171: Solvent Cleaning Operations

February 24, 2026

Applicability and Purpose

On June 6, 2025, the SCAQMD amended Rule 1171. Rule 1171’s purpose is to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs), TACs, and stratospheric ozone-depleting compounds from solvent cleaning operations. Rule 1171 applies to anyone who uses cleaning solvents in the SCAQMD.

Rule 1171 Amendments Overview

Rule 1171’s amendments include the phasing out of para-Chlorobenzotrifluoride (p-CBtF) and tert-butyl acetate (t‑BAc), establishing VOC content limits for energy curable printing of lamps and reflectors, and establishing alternative usage limits for electricity and water utilities and aerosol cleaning.

Rule 1171’s amendments will affect facilities using solvent cleaners containing p-CBtF or t-BAc, suppliers and distributors of cleaning solvents with p‑CBtF or t-BAc, automotive refinishing shops, electric/water utility providers, and energy curable printing
operations.

Table 1 of Rule 1171 sets the VOC content limits, Table 2 sets the alternative usage and product weighted-maximum incremental reactivity (PW-MIR) limits for electrical and water utilities, and Table 3 of the rule sets the usage limits of solvent cleaner usage for solvent cleaning of automobile parts, batteries, and other solvent cleaning activities.

Rule 1171 Deadlines

There are three important dates in Rule 1171 for the p-CBtF and t-BAc phase-out. Solvent cleaning materials manufactured after January 1, 2026, and containing more than 0.01% by weight of p‑CBtF and t-BAc cannot be used for solvent cleaning activities. Solvent cleaning materials manufactured prior to January 1, 2026, containing more than 0.01% of p-CBtF and t‑BAc can be sold or supplied until July 1, 2027, and used until July 1, 2028.

Other Rules Affected

Similar to Rule 1171’s amendments to phase out p-CBtF and t-BAc from solvent cleaning materials subject to Rule 1171, the SCAQMD is in the process of amending other source-specific rules to phase out p-CBtF and t-BAc, including Rule 1107 (Coating of Metal Parts and Products), Rule 1124 (Aerospace Assembly and Component Manufacturing Operations), Rule 1113 (Architectural Coatings), Rule 1122 (Solvent Degreasers), and Rule 1130 (Graphic Arts), among others.

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Yorke Engineering has assisted over 2,000 industrial and government facilities across California with EH&S consulting and air quality consulting, as well as permitting and compliance for storm water, wastewater, hazardous waste, industrial hygiene, and safety programs. Learn more here: Services – Yorke Engineering, LLC

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