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Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Requirements
Final Amendments to EPCRA Regulations
EPA finalized several changes to the Emergency Planning (Section 302), Emergency Release Notification (Section 304) and Hazardous Chemical Reporting (Sections 311 and 312) regulations that were proposed on June 8, 1998 (63 FR 31268). These changes include clarification on how to report hazardous chemicals in mixtures, and changes to Tier I and Tier II forms. Additionally, the rules now use a question and answer format. Facilities subject to EPCRA reporting, State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs), Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) and fire departments should become familiar with the new regulation.
Factsheet: Amendments to Emergency Planning and Notification; Emergency Release Notification and Hazardous Chemical Reporting. 40 CFR Parts 355 and 370 (PDF) (1 pp, 31K, About PDF)
This final rule is effective on December 3, 2008.
The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) was created to help communities plan for emergencies involving hazardous substances. EPCRA has four major provisions: one deals with emergency planning and three deal with chemical reporting.
Local Emergency Planning Requirements
EPCRA local emergency planning requirements (Sections 301 to 303) stipulate that every community in the United States must be part of a comprehensive emergency response plan. Facilities are required to participate in the planning process.
- State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs) oversee the implementation of EPCRA requirements in each state.
- Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) work to understand chemical hazards in the community, develop emergency plans in case of an accidental release, and look for ways to prevent chemical accidents. LEPCs are made up of emergency management agencies, responders, industry and the public.
Chemical Reporting Requirements
According to the EPCRA chemical reporting requirements, facilities must report the storage, use, and release of certain hazardous chemicals.
- Emergency Planning Notification (Section 302(c))
- Emergency Release Notification (Section 304)
- Hazardous Chemical Storage Reporting Requirements (Sections 311-312)
- Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Reporting (Section 313)
Frequent Questions
- EPCRA Frequent Questions (last updated April 2008)
- Questions and Answers on Release Notification Requirements and Reportable Quantity Adjustments (PDF) (46 pp, 1.2MB, About PDF)
- EPCRA Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Thresholds: Frequent Questions
For More Information
- Chemicals in your Community (PDF) (29 pp, 940K, About PDF)
- Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Fact Sheet (PDF) (5 pp, 65K, About PDF)
- The National Association of SARA Title III Program Officials (NASTTPO)
is a coalition of members of SERCs, LEPCs, federal and state agencies, industry, and other individuals interested in Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) implementation. NASTTPO works to prepare for emergency substance releases. - For more information on EPCRA reporting, please contact the Superfund, TRI, EPCRA, RMP & Oil Information Center.