Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program
TRI Laws, Regulations and Notices
Laws & Executive Orders
TRI was established in 1986 by the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). In 1990, Congress passed the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA), which required that facilities report additional data on waste management and source reduction activities under TRI. The TRI-specific sections of these two laws are section 313 of EPCRA and section 6607 of PPA.
- Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act [ Summary / Full Text]
- Pollution Prevention Act [ Summary / Full Text]
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is the codification of rules published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government. It is divided into 50 titles that represent broad areas subject to Federal regulation, with environmental regulations contained mainly in title 40. The Toxics Release Inventory regulations can be found at 40 CFR Part 372 .
An Executive Order (EO) in 1993 required federal facilities to comply with Section 313 of EPCRA regardless of their primary North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code. Two additional EOs reinforced this requirement.
Rulemakings
The TRI Program is modified over time through rulemakings.
You can browse TRI rulemakings or learn more about the rulemaking process at EPA.
Current Regulatory Development Activities
The TRI Program is currently involved in several regulatory development activities:
- "Potential TRI Sectors Expansion" - EPA is considering whether to broaden the scope of industry sectors covered by EPCRA § 313 (the Toxics Release Inventory Program) to include the following industry sectors: Steam Generation from Coal and/or Oil, Petroleum Bulk Storage, Iron Ore Mining, Phosphate Mining, Large Dry Cleaning and Solid Waste Combustors and Incinerators.
- Find more information and view comments in the online discussion forum
(Forum closed on November 10, 2011)
- “TRI Reporting for Facilities Located in Indian Country and Clarification of Additional Opportunities Available to Tribal Government under the TRI Program" - EPA has finalized a rule which requires each facility located in Indian country to submit TRI reports to EPA and the appropriate tribe, rather than to the state in which the facility is geographically located. The final rule also provides the tribal chairperson or equivalent elected official of a tribe with the same opportunities as the governor of a state with regard to TRI-related requests and petitions.
- Find more information about the final rule
- View comments in the online discussion forum (Forum closed on March 31, 2011)
- "Requiring Electronic Reporting Under Section 313 of EPCRA" - EPA has proposed a rule to require the electronic reporting of non-confidential TRI data using the Web-based TRI-MEweb reporting application.
- Find more information about the proposed rule
- View the pre-proposal online discussion forum (Forum closed on July 1, 2011)
- "Modification of Toxics Release Inventory Reporting Requirements Primarily Associated with Metal Mining" - EPA's TRI Program is considering modifying TRI reporting requirements that apply to metal mining operations.
- Articles Exemption Clarification Proposed Rule - In August of 2009, EPA proposed a rule to clarify the TRI articles exemption. EPA has since withdrawn the proposal and now plans to publish a supplemental proposed rule in order to respond to comments received.
Information Collection Requests (ICRs)
An ICR is a set of documents that describe reporting, record keeping, survey or other information collection requirements imposed on the public by EPA. The ICR provides an overview of the collection and estimates the cost and time for the public to respond. The public may view an ICR and submit comments on it at any time. TRI ICRs are resubmitted for approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) every 2-3 years.
2011 TRI ICR Renewals
- Notice of Final OMB Approval (PDF)
- Final Federal Register Notice (PDF)
- Proposed Federal Register Notice (PDF)
- Supporting Statement (PDF)
- Proposed Ratio-Based Burden Methodology (PDF)
- Approved Form A, Form R and Form R Schedule 1 Certification Statements (PDF)
- Proposed Form A, Form R and Form R Schedule 1 Certification Statements (PDF)
TRI Reporting Request for Comments on Proposed Renewal of Form R, Form A
(EPA ICR No. 1363.21 OMB Control Number 2025-0009)