The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) of 1986 was in response to accidental releases in India and the United States, intended to help communities plan for chemical emergencies. EPCRA requires industry to report on storage, use, and releases of hazardous substances to federal, state, and local governments.
EPCRA contains a series of discrete reporting provisions that each must be considered to ensure compliance.
Section 304. Emergency Notification Requirements -Facilities must immediately report accidental releases of EHSs and “hazardous substances” defined under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Any releases of these substances in quantities greater than their corresponding Reportable Quantities (RQs) must be reported to state and local officials. Continuous release reporting requirements also apply. EPCRAExpress can develop a Release Reporting Plan for your facility, to prepare your to identify reportable releases under EPCRA, CERCLA, Clean Water Act, and state regulations, to identify your reporting requirement and enable you to successfully meet the “immediate” reporting standard should a release or spill occur. [Note: A written Release Reporting Plan is not required for most facilities, but is a strongly recommended industry best practice for facilities subject to EPCRA and other reporting requirements.]
Sections 311 and 312. Community Right-to-Know Requirements – Facilities handling or storing any hazardous chemicals over threshold quantities must submit Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) to state and local officials and local fire departments. Facilities must also submit an inventory form for these chemicals, to state and local officials and local fire departments. EPCRAExpress can determine which chemical must be reported under EPCRA Tier I and Tier II provisions and generate the necessary reports.
Section 313. Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) – Facilities within certain industrial categories that store, process, or otherwise use any of more than 650 chemicals in quantities above established thresholds, must complete and submit a toxic chemical release inventory form (Form R) annually.