United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response July 2012 www.epa.gov/emergencies EMERGENCY PLANNING AND COMMUNITY RIGHT-TO-KNOW ACT Hazardous Chemical Reporting: Revisions to the Emergency and Hazardous Chemical Inventory Forms (Tier I and Tier II) On July 3, 2012, EPA finalized amendments to the Emergency and Hazardous Chemical Inventory Forms under Section 312 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) to add new data elements and revise some existing data elements. Over the years, stakeholders requested EPA add new data elements to the forms that would be useful to improve community emergency response plans. In this action, EPA added new data elements to make the forms more useful for state, local and tribal agencies. EPA also revised some existing data elements to make reporting easier for facilities. The changes are intended to meet the purpose of EPCRA, which is "...to encourage and support state and local planning for emergencies caused by the release of hazardous chemicals and to provide citizens and governments with information concerning potential chemical hazards present in their communities." Who Is Affected by This Rule? Organizations and facilities subject to section 312 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right- to-Know Act (EPCRA) and its implementing regulations found in 40 CFR 370 may be affected by this rule. Why Did EPA Finalize These Changes? Over the years, stakeholders requested EPA to add new data elements to the forms that would be useful to improve community emergency response plans. What Are the Economic Impacts of the Form Changes? This action may impose minimal reporting burden on facilities since the data elements are readily available to the facility. Revising the existing data elements will make the forms more user-friendly and ease reporting requirements for facilities. Where Do I Go For More Information? For more information on general EPCRA requirements, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/emergencies/content/epcra/index.htm For information on the Tier I and Tier II forms, please visit: http://www.epa.gOv/emergencies/content/epcra/epcra_storage.htm#tier2 Office of Emergency Management ------- |