Drycleaning Solvent Suppliers
The Tennessee Legislature has ammended Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 217. These changes go into effect July 1, 2026. These amendments include eligibility restrictions for the cleanup program, requirements related to drycleaner registration, drycleaning solvent purchases, and the maximum annual per-site limit for cleanup costs under the Tennessee Drycleaner Environmental Response Act. Rules which incorporate these statutory changes are currently being developed.
The Drycleaner Environmental Response Program (DCERP) also registers solvent distributors who sell to Tennessee drycleaners. Distributors who are located within Tennessee must pay an annual registration fee of $5,500 per facility. Distributors must also submit a Drycleaning Solvent Supplier/Distributor’s Registration form and Quarterly Solvent Surcharge Report (CN-1062). Out of state distributors who sell to TN drycleaners do not have a fee but are still required to submit a registration form.
All distributors are also responsible for collecting the solvent surcharge and submitting them to DCERP:
- $15 for each gallon of dense non-aqueous solvent or product purchased by a drycleaning facility
- $1.50 for each gallon of light non-aqueous solvent or product purchased by a drycleaning facility
Rule 1200-1-17 defines dense non-aqueous solvent or product as any chemical or mixture of chemicals other than water-based solvent that is used in the drycleaning of clothes and has a specific gravity greater than 1. The rule also defines a light non-aqueous solvent as any chemical or mixture of chemicals other than water-based solvent that is used in the drycleaning of clothes and has a specific gravity less than 1.
DCERP Registered Distributors can only sell solvent to registered TN drycleaning facilities. It is illegal to sell or transfer drycleaning solvent to a facility without a valid registration certificate. The solvent distributor must verify that the facility is lawfully registered with DCERP before selling or delivering any solvent. If a distributor is found to have sold solvent to an unregistered drycleaner or is an unregistered distributor, they may be fined.
Drycleaning Solvent Supplier Quick Links
| Contacts |
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| DCERP Administrator 615-741-2281 Dry.Cleaners@tn.gov |
This Page Last Updated: July 2, 2026 at 11:22 AM