&EPA
Environmental Results
Program
Business Sector Fact Sheet:
Automotive Repair Shops
What is ERP ?
igram (ERP) is an innovative
ass sectors that integrates
assistance, self-e
and measurem
jrement to assess the envi
id overall sectors. ERP is a
facility-specific State pe
ital performance standards
3, supplementing or serving
certify compliance. By
ns and applying statistic
ce, measure and track er
3iment resources.
What are the key elements of ERP?
Self-certification
ay businesses
Compliance assistance by regulatory agencies through
compliance assistance workshops and plain language
workbooks and checklists
Performance measurement through baseline inspections
post-certification inspections at randomly selected facilit
as well as through targeted inspections and sector-sped
To which sectors is ERP being applied?
Auto Repair Sector
The automotive repair sector includes both automotive
mechanical repair and body shops. Five states and the
District of Columbia are at different stages of
implementing ERPs that target one or both types of shops.
ERP is a desirable approach to govern environmental
performance of the auto repair sector, which mainly
consists of small businesses that have limited resources for
understanding environmental regulations. Although an
individual auto repair shop may present a relatively low
environmental and health risk, environmental impacts of
the sector as a whole can be significant (e.g., VOC
emissions from solvents used in parts cleaning at
mechanical repair shops, or metal particulates from sanding
processes at body shops). By providing all auto repair
shops with compliance assistance and best practice training,
regulators can effectively minimize the overall
environmental and health impacts of the auto repair sector.
Highlights of the progress of ERPs for auto repair shops
in various states are provided herein.
Autobody/ Re
Dental Mercury
Underground storage
Retail Gasoline Sales
Which States have initiated ERPs?
NCEI
NATIONAL CENTER FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL INNOVATION
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Florida Department of Environmental
Protection
Compliance Certification Program
Background
In 2002, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP), launched a mandatory Compliance Certification Program
(CCP) that offers cost-effective tools for DEP to target all
businesses of a selected sector to ensure compliance, and provides
incentives for regulated facilities to comply through random and
targeted inspections. CCP offers technical assistance to businesses
on pollution prevention and best practices that help them to go
beyond compliance. The initial focus of CCP is on the compliance
status of auto mechanical repair shops with hazardous waste
management and other key media requirements. To test the CCP
process and identify areas for improvement, Florida DEP has
implemented a Certification Assistance Pilot Project (CAPP) at
2,000 mechanical repair shops.
Current Status and Program Updates
• Baseline inspections—169 completed spring 2002
• Self-certification and compliance assistance workbook--
completed winter 2002
• Compliance assistance workshops—21 with over 700
facility operator, co-hosted with the Florida Chamber of
Commerce completed between March and January 2003
• Automated data management system-completed late 2003
• Post-certification inspections—completed late 2003
• Environmental results include:
- No significant non-compliers
- The average number of violations per facility were
reduced from 3 to 1.75
- Although individual Environmental Business Practice
Indicators typically demonstrated significant compliance
increases, overall compliance increased by only 4% due
to one significant compliance issue (failure to properly
label satellite oil containers)
Upcoming milestones
Florida DEP is completing follow up activities, including
enforcement actions where necessary. The results of Florida DEP
program has validated that their auto repair sector is generally in
compliance and highlighted where to target compliance and
inspection resources in the future. Florida DEP concluded ERP
is a useful approach and now looking at new sectors to apply it.
FL DEP Contact:
Michael Redig, Compliance and Enforcement Manager
Waste Management Division
850-245-8774, michael.redig@.dep.state.fl.us
www..dep.state.fl.us/waste/categories/hazardous/pages/
autocert.htm
Rhode Island Department of
Environmental Management
Auto body Environmental/Occupational
Health Self-Certification Program
Background
In 2002, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental
Management (RIDEM) initiated its Auto Body
Environmental/Occupational Health Compliance Self-
Certification Program. This is a voluntary multimedia
program for the auto body repair sector. The program is
designed to regulate auto body repair shops in a less
threatening manner, and provides technical assistance to
help shops improve compliance with environmental and
occupational health standards. The program is a joint effort
lead by RIDEM. Other participants include: RI
Department of Health (RIDOH), RI Department of
Business Regulation (RIDBR), the University of Rhode
Island Center for Pollution Prevention, U.S. Department of
Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration
(OSHA), and the William M. Davies Vocational School.
By leveraging scarce resources, this program reaches
substantially more facilities than a traditional permitting
and enforcement program.
Current Status and Program Updates
RIDEM has completed the first round of their program and
has found the following results:
• Baseline inspections — 40 completed in 2002
• Self-certification checklist and compliance assistance
workbook completed and distributed to a total of 383
facilities in 2003
• Held 4 compliance assistance meetings in 2002-2003
• 171 (51%) facilities responded by Spring 2003
• Post-certification inspections completed in Winter 2003
• Environmental results tabulated in Spring 2005
Upcoming milestones
RIDEM will be working on a comprehensive database,
reviewing quality assurance/quality control measures,
analyzing self-certification data, and following-up with
shops that submitted Return-to-Compliance (RTC) plans.
RIDEM also plans to develop web-based submissions for
the next round of self-certification.
RIDEM plans to conduct the post-certification inspections
in early 2004. RIDEM also plans to develop web-based
submissions for the next round of self-certification to be
conducted in December 2004.
RIDEM Contact:
Ron Gagnon, Chief
Office of Technical and Customer Assistance
401-222-6822 x7500, rgagnon@dem.state.ri.us,
www.state.ri.us/dem/programs/benviron/assist/abdycert/
abdvcert.htm
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Maryland Department of Environment
Park Heights Environmental Results
Project
District of Columbia Department of Health
Environmental Education for the
Compliance of Auto Repair Shops
Background
In early 2003, the Maryland Department of Environment
(A/DDE) initiated the Park Heights Environmental Results
Project. This project is an attempt to provide compliance
assistance to auto repair shops in the Park Heights
neighborhood of Baltimore who volunteered to participate.
The project, which targets both mechanical and body repair
shops, will help facility operators ensure compliance with
environmental regulations, and promote environmentally
sound practices. This project also seeks to address the public
health and environmental concerns of the Park Heights
community, and will measure the community's perception of
project results. This pilot project is led by a partnership
among A/DDE, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
and the community (Park Reist Corridor Coalition (PRCC),
and the Park Heights Community Health Alliance).
Current Status and Program Updates
The MDE completed the ERP pilot in Park Heights with the
following results:
• Completed 40 baseline inspections in June 2003.
• Completed and distributed self-certification checklist and
compliance assistance workbook to 60 facilities in August
2003
• Held five compliance assistance workshops and
distributed additional "toolkit" notebooks in Fall 2003
• Received 36 first round responses by September 2003
• Completed post-certification inspections in Spring 2004
• Tabulated environmental results for releasse in May 2005
Upcoming milestones
MDE expects to finish analyzing draft data and complete
community survey reports by May 2005. MDE is exploring
mechanisms for the newly formed NW Automotive
Association to continue compliance efforts.
MDE Contact:
Jerry Gietka, Project Manager
Office of the Secretary
410-537-3500
ggietka@mde.state.md.us
Background
In late 2001, the DC Department of Health (DCDOH)
initiated tided the Environmental Education for the
Compliance of Auto Body Shops (EE-CARS) a voluntary
ERP. The purpose of this project is to improve compliance
with DC business licensing and environmental regulations and
promote use of best management practices at small scale
auto repair shops (20 or less employees). EE-CARS is
expected to help small auto repair shops reduce their
environmental, health, and quality of life impacts on their
local neighborhoods. The program also is designed to build
relationships between DC government and small businesses,
local community organizations, and trade associations. EE-
CARS is now being implemented as a pilot project in Ward 5
of the District, a neighborhood that has 109 businesses that
meet DC's definition of small auto repair and body shops. If
successful, DCDOH plans to expand EE-CARS to other
Wards in the District.
DCDOH has fostered improved coordination with other
branches of DC government responsible for regulating auto
repair and body shops, and has raised awareness about
compliance requirements among small auto repair shops.
Current Status and Program Updates
The DCDOH has completed their ERP pilot with the following
results:
• Visited every street in Ward 5 to identify all auto repair
shops in December 2001
• Completed 44 baseline inspections in May 2002
• Completed a self-certification checklist and compliance
assistance workbook in February 2004
• Post-certification inspections completed June 2004
• Analysis completed in 2004 found that facilities obtaining
business licenses increased from 55 percent to 91 percent
and that facilities obtaining certificates of occupancy
increased from 66 percent to 91 percent.
Upcoming milestones
DCDOH intends to continue making the compliance
assistance workbook available to facility owners in Ward 5. A
report on the EE-CARS project activities can be obtained
through the contact below
DCDOH Contact:
Kendolyn Hodges-Simon, Attorney Advisor/
Environmental Justice Coordinator
Office of Enforcement Compliance/Environmental Justice
202-535-2502
kendolyn.hodges@dc.gov
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Delaware DNREC
Auto Body Self-certification Program
Maine MEDEP
Auto Body Self-certification Program
Background
In early 2003, the Delaware Department of Natural
Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) was
awarded an EPA State Innovation Grant to launch a
voluntary ERP for auto body shops. Using a multimedia
approach, Delaware's ERP project seeks to help shops
voluntarily achieve compliance with all applicable
environmental regulations and to encourage beyond
compliance practices. Officially launched in March 2003,
this ERP program is being developed in three phases over a
two-year period.
Current Status and Program Updates
DNREC is completing the first round of their ERP program
with the following progress to date:
• Completed 162 baseline inspections in Spring 2004
• Completed a self-certification checklist and compliance
assistance workbook in Summer 2004
• Held 6 compliance assistance workshops in Fall 2004
• Completed post-certification inspections in Spring 2005
Upcoming Milestones
DNREC plans to complete their database for tracking
inspections and self-certification as well as finalize their air
permitting application process by Spring 2005.
DNREC Contact:
Kimberly (Finch) Chesser
Small Business Ombudsman
Office of the Secretary
302-739-6400
kimberlv.finch(g).state.de.us
Background
In late 2004, the Maine Department of Environmental
Protection (MEDEP) was awarded an EPA State
Innovation Grant to pilot a voluntary ERP for an estimated
4000 auto body and repair shops statewide. Using a
multimedia approach, Maine's ERP project seeks to help
facilities voluntarily achieve compliance with all applicable
regulations and to encourage beyond compliance practices.
Maine will kick off the project in Winter 2005, aiming to
complete one full round of the program and obtain
environmental results and case studies by Fall 2006.
Current Status and Program Updates
MEDEP is just beginning their program and has the following
projected plan:
• Complete baseline inspections in Spring 2005
• Complete self-certification checklist and compliance
assistance workbook in Spring 2005
• Hold compliance assistance workshops in Summer
2005
• Receive completed self-certifications by Summer 2005
• Complete post-certification inspections by Fall 2005.
Upcoming Milestones
MEDEP will be researching ERP candidates, convening
stakeholder and advisory meetings, and developing ERP
incentives to kickoff the program.
MEDEP Contact:
Julie M. Churchill, Assistant Director
Office of Innovation and Assistance
202-287-7881
julie.m.churchill@maine.gov
ERP Assistance
Technical and financial resources are available from EPA to conduct ERP projects. This assistance is available through six mechanisms:
1. State Innovation Grant Program - www.epa.gov innovation/stategrants;
2. OSWER Innovation Pilots Program - www.epa.gov/oswer/iwg/announcement.htm;
3. Project planning through contractor assistance;
4. Invitational travel support for state-to-state technical exchange;
5. Technical document preparation (e.g., guidance, workbooks, fact sheets, contractor support); and
6. Coordination among EPA Headquarters and Regional Offices.
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Policy,
Economics and Innovation
(1807T)
2005
EPA-100-F-05-027
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