The memorandum from the Executive Office of the President outlines a process for considering exemptions to the updated Clean Air Act standards for ethylene oxide emissions from commercial sterilizers. These new standards aim to reduce cancer risks associated with ethylene oxide exposure. The process allows facilities to request a temporary exemption if they can't meet compliance deadlines due to unavailable technology, provided that this doesn't disrupt the essential supply of medical products like devices and pharmaceuticals. The President’s goal is to protect public health while ensuring medical supplies remain available.
Simple Explanation
The President wants to make sure the air is safe to breathe by having companies that clean medical tools use less of a chemical that might cause cancer, but if they can't do it in time because the right tools aren't available, they can ask for more time so hospitals still get what they need.