Study guide
6.1 EPCRA Tier II (Section 312) & Toxic Release Inventory (TRI Section 313)
Certified Hazardous Materials Manager CHMM
Track your progress as you read
Finished sections get a check mark.
1 Chapter 1: Planning and Management of Hazardous Materials
1.1 Hazard Identification & GHS Classification 1.2 Safety Data Sheets (SDS) & Chemical Compatibility 1.3 Life-Cycle Management, Source Reduction & Pollution Prevention 1.4 Chemical Inventory & Regulatory Applicability Framework 1.5 Pollution Prevention Opportunity Assessments (PPOA) & P2 Program Implementation
2 Chapter 2: Shipping and Transporting Hazardous Materials
2.1 DOT HazMat Classification & Table 172.101 2.2 Packaging Standards, Marking, Labeling & UN Specifications 2.3 Shipping Papers, Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest & e-Manifest 2.4 Placarding Requirements, Exceptions & Modal Transport
3 Chapter 3: Storage of Hazardous Materials
3.1 RCRA Container Storage & Inspection Requirements 3.2 Aboveground (AST) & Underground Storage Tank (UST) Standards 3.3 Secondary Containment Design & Sizing Calculations 3.4 Chemical Segregation, Flammable Liquids & Compressed Gas Storage
4 Chapter 4: Facility Operations & Environmental Permitting
4.1 Process Safety Management (PSM) & Risk Management Plan (RMP) 4.2 Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) & Facility Response Plans 4.3 Clean Air Act: Operating Permits, NESHAP & Emission Controls 4.4 Clean Water Act: NPDES, Industrial Wastewater Pretreatment & SWPPP
5 Chapter 5: Disposition of Hazardous Materials & Waste Management
5.1 RCRA Hazardous Waste Determination: Characteristic & Listed Wastes 5.2 Generator Categories (VSQG, SQG, LQG) & Accumulation Rules 5.3 Satellite Accumulation Areas (SAA) & Universal Waste Management 5.4 Used Oil Management, Land Disposal Restrictions (LDR) & TSDF Operations 5.5 Waste Profiling, Disposal Vendor Qualification & Final Disposition Documentation
6 Chapter 6: Regulatory Recordkeeping & Reporting
6.1 EPCRA Tier II (Section 312) & Toxic Release Inventory (TRI Section 313) 6.2 RCRA Biennial Reporting, Exception Reports & TSCA Reporting 6.3 Regulatory Record Retention Periods & Compliance Documentation
7 Chapter 7: Personnel Training Programs & Competency
7.1 HAZWOPER Training Standards (29 CFR 1910.120) & Emergency Roles 7.2 DOT HazMat (49 CFR 172) & RCRA Generator Training Mandates 7.3 OSHA Hazard Communication Training, Adult Learning & Competency Evaluation
8 Chapter 8: Emergency Response, Incident Command & Recovery
8.1 Emergency Response Planning & Incident Command System (ICS/NIMS) 8.2 Spill Notification: Reportable Quantities (RQ), NRC, SERC & LEPC 8.3 Spill Containment, Mitigation Techniques & Air Monitoring 8.4 Decontamination Procedures, Site Control Zones & Post-Incident Recovery
9 Chapter 9: Environmental Remediation & Site Assessment
9.1 Environmental Site Assessments: ASTM Phase I & Phase II ESA 9.2 CERCLA Superfund Process & RCRA Corrective Action 9.3 In-Situ Remediation Technologies (ISCO, SVE, Bioremediation, PRBs) 9.4 Ex-Situ Remediation Technologies, Risk-Based Corrective Action (RBCA) & CSM
10 Chapter 10: Environmental Management Systems & Compliance Auditing
10.1 ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems (EMS) & PDCA 10.2 Environmental Auditing Protocols & EPA Audit Policy (Self-Disclosure) 10.3 Root Cause Analysis, CAPA Systems & IHMM Code of Ethics 10.4 Regulatory Currency, Rulemaking Participation, Public Outreach & Environmental Cost Analysis
11 Chapter 11: Environmental Fate, Hydrogeology & Sampling
11.1 Chemical Fate and Transport Mechanisms (Partitioning, Darcy's Law, Advection) 11.2 Soil, Groundwater & Air Sampling Protocols and Chain of Custody 11.3 Data Quality Objectives (DQOs), Analytical Methods & PARCC Parameters 11.4 Human Health & Ecological Risk Assessment (HQ, Hazard Index, Cancer Risk)
12 Chapter 12: Occupational Health, Industrial Hygiene & Safety
12.1 Industrial Hygiene Principles (AREC) & Occupational Exposure Limits (PEL, TLV, REL, IDLH) 12.2 Chemical Toxicology, Routes of Entry & Dose-Response (LD50, LC50) 12.3 Hierarchy of Controls & Engineering Solutions 12.4 Personal Protective Equipment (Levels A-D) & Respiratory Protection Programs (APF, MUC) 12.5 Industrial Hygiene Monitoring Equipment (PID, FID, Multi-Gas Meters, Noise & Heat Stress) 12.6 Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), the HAZWOPER Site Safety and Health Plan (HASP) & Required Written Programs
6.1 EPCRA Tier II (Section 312) & Toxic Release Inventory (TRI Section 313)
Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI
EPCRA Section 302 mandates emergency planning notifications to the State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) and Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) within 60 days of reaching an Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS) Threshold Planning Quantity (TPQ, 1 lb to 10,000 lbs), along with designating a Facility Emergency Coordinator.
EPCRA Section 304 requires immediate telephone notification to the SERC and LEPC (and the National Response Center if a CERCLA substance) for any accidental release of an EHS or CERCLA hazardous substance that exceeds its Reportable Quantity (RQ) and extends beyond the facility boundary, followed by a written report within 30 days.
EPCRA Sections 311 and 312 (Tier II Reporting) mandate annual hazardous chemical inventory reporting by March 1 to the SERC, LEPC, and local fire department for facilities required to maintain an OSHA SDS that exceed 10,000 lbs for general hazardous chemicals or 500 lbs / TPQ (whichever is lower) for EHS chemicals.
EPCRA Section 313 (Toxic Release Inventory - TRI) requires annual reporting by July 1 via EPA TRI-MEweb for facilities in covered NAICS sectors with ≥ 10 full-time employee equivalents (20,000 labor hours) exceeding activity thresholds: 25,000 lbs/yr for manufacturing or processing, or 10,000 lbs/yr for otherwise using listed toxic chemicals.
Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic (PBT) chemicals have severely reduced TRI activity thresholds (Lead: 100 lbs; Mercury: 10 lbs; Dioxin: 0.1 gram / 100 mg; PACs: 100 lbs; listed PFAS: 100 lbs), are strictly ineligible for Form A simplified reporting, and are disqualified from the 0.1%/1.0% de minimis exemption.
Last updated: August 2026
EPCRA Tier II (Section 312) & Toxic Release Inventory (TRI Section 313)
The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) —enacted as Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986 and codified in 40 CFR Parts 355, 370, and 372 —was promulgated by Congress following the catastrophic 1984 chemical release in Bhopal, India, and a subsequent toxic release in Institute, West Virginia. EPCRA establishes a mandatory national framework for emergency planning, emergency release notification, chemical inventory reporting, and toxic chemical release disclosure.
For a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), mastery of EPCRA is essential for navigating overlapping statutory thresholds, executing time-sensitive emergency notifications, filing annual Tier II chemical inventory submissions, and completing complex mass-balance release accounting under the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI).
1. Statutory Architecture of EPCRA (SARA Title III)
EPCRA is structured into four core interrelated regulatory programs, each with distinct chemical lists, reporting thresholds, submission deadlines, and recipient regulatory bodies: +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
- | EPCRA / SARA TITLE III STATUTORY STRUCTURE |
- | |
- | PROGRAM REGULATION PRIMARY MANDATE & TIMELINE |
- | +-------------------------+------------------+--------------------------------+ |
- | | Sections 301–303: | 40 CFR Part 355 | EHS Emergency Planning & TPQ | |
- | | Emergency Planning | | Notify SERC/LEPC in 60 days | |
- | +-------------------------+------------------+--------------------------------+ |
- | | Section 304: | 40 CFR Part 355 | Emergency Release Notification | |
- | | Emergency Release Notify| Subpart C | Immediate call + prompt follow-up| |
- | +-------------------------+------------------+--------------------------------+ |
- | | Sections 311–312: | 40 CFR Part 370 | MSDS/SDS & Tier II Inventory | |
- | | Community Right-to-Know | | Due annually by MARCH 1 | |
- | +-------------------------+------------------+--------------------------------+ |
- | | Section 313: | 40 CFR Part 372 | Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) | |
- | | Toxic Release Inventory | | Due annually by JULY 1 (Form R)| |
- | +-------------------------+------------------+--------------------------------+ |
- +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Core Institutional Entities Established by EPCRA:
State Emergency Response Commission (SERC): Appointed by the governor of each state, the SERC oversees state-level hazardous materials planning, designates local emergency planning districts, and processes chemical inventory filings.
Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC): Appointed by the SERC for each designated district, the LEPC includes elected officials, fire/police chiefs, public health officers, environmental managers, facility operators, and community representatives. The LEPC develops and annually reviews the comprehensive district emergency response plan.
Local Fire Department: The local fire authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) over the facility, which must receive chemical inventory data to safeguard emergency responders.
- 2. EPCRA Sections 302 & 304: Emergency Planning & Immediate Release Notification
- EPCRA Section 302: Emergency Planning Notification (40 CFR Part 355 Subpart B)
Section 302 applies to any facility that has present on-site, at any one time, an Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS) at or above its designated Threshold Planning Quantity (TPQ) .
The EHS List: Codified at 40 CFR Part 355 Appendices A and B , this list contains approximately 355 extremely toxic chemicals (e.g., anhydrous ammonia, chlorine, sulfuric acid, phosgene, hydrogen cyanide, methyl isocyanate).
TPQ Values: TPQs range from 1 pound (e.g., dioxin, phosgene) to 10,000 pounds depending on acute toxicity and volatility.
Dual TPQs for Solids: Solid EHS chemicals often have two listed TPQs (e.g., 100 / 10,000 lbs). The lower threshold (e.g., 100 lbs) applies if the solid is in powder form with a particle size < 100 μ m < 100\,\mu\text{m} < 100 μ m , is in solution or molten form, or has an NFPA reactivity rating of 2, 3, or 4. If the solid does not meet these criteria, the higher threshold (e.g., 10,000 lbs) applies.
Mandatory Actions:
Notification within 60 Days: The facility owner/operator must notify the SERC and LEPC within 60 calendar days after first receiving an EHS at or above its TPQ.
Facility Emergency Coordinator (FEC): The facility must designate a representative to participate in the local emergency planning process and notify the LEPC of this appointment within 60 days of LEPC formation or upon triggering Section 302.
Ongoing Notification: Promptly notify the LEPC of any relevant changes occurring at the facility (e.g., new chemical lines, facility expansion).
EPCRA Section 304: Emergency Release Notification (40 CFR Part 355 Subpart C)
Section 304 establishes immediate emergency reporting mandates for accidental chemical releases that extend beyond the facility boundary :
Trigger: An unpermitted release into the environment (air, water, land) that equals or exceeds the Reportable Quantity (RQ) within a 24-hour period for:
Any EPCRA Section 302 Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS), OR
Any CERCLA Hazardous Substance listed under 40 CFR Table 302.4.
Immediate oral notification: The facility must immediately notify the SERC of any state likely to be affected, the LEPC of any area likely to be affected, and, for a CERCLA hazardous substance at or above its RQ, the National Response Center (NRC: 1-800-424-8802) . The federal rule says immediately; it does not create one universal 15-minute safe harbor.
Exclusion: Releases resulting in exposure to persons solely within the facility boundaries are exempt from Section 304 notification (though still subject to OSHA incident logging).
Written follow-up notice: EPCRA § 304(c) requires a written follow-up emergency notice to the SERC and LEPC as soon as practicable . Federal EPCRA does not impose a universal 30-day deadline, although a state may. The notice addresses:
Actions taken to respond to and contain the release.
Known or anticipated acute or chronic health risks.
Medical advice regarding treatment of exposed individuals.
Source, chemical identity, actual quantity released, and environmental fate.
3. EPCRA Sections 311 & 312: Tier II Hazardous Chemical Inventory Reporting
EPCRA Sections 311 and 312 mandate chemical inventory disclosure for facilities required under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200) to prepare or maintain Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) . +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
- | EPCRA SECTION 312 (TIER II) REPORTING THRESHOLDS |
- | |
- | CHEMICAL CATEGORY REPORTING THRESHOLD APPLICABLE RULE |
- | ---------------------------+----------------------------+--------------------- |
- | Extremely Hazardous 500 lbs OR the designated Whichever is LOWER |
- | Substances (EHS) TPQ (e.g., 1 lb - 500 lbs) (40 CFR § 370.10) |
- | ---------------------------+----------------------------+--------------------- |
- | General OSHA Hazardous 10,000 lbs (at any one time Standard HazCom SDS |
- | Chemicals (Non-EHS) during the calendar year) substances |
- | ---------------------------+----------------------------+--------------------- |
- | Retail Gas Stations 75,000 gallons (Gasoline) Tanks in full UST |
- | (Commercial Fuel Dispensers) 100,000 gallons (Diesel) compliance (Subpart I)|
- +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
- Key Nuance: Calculating Chemical Quantities in Mixtures
When determining whether a reporting threshold is reached for a chemical present in a mixture:
For Non-EHS Hazardous Chemicals: If the total weight of the mixture multiplied by the weight percentage of the hazardous component equals or exceeds 10,000 lbs , or if the entire mixture itself exceeds 10,000 lbs, reporting is triggered.
For EHS Chemicals: The threshold applies strictly to the aggregate quantity of the pure EHS across all containers, processes, and mixtures in the entire facility. For example, if a plant stores twenty 55-gallon drums of an aqueous solution containing 10% sulfuric acid (an EHS with a 1,000 lb TPQ and 500 lb Tier II threshold), the manager must aggregate the pure H 2 S O 4 H_2SO_4 H 2 S O 4 mass across all 20 drums. If pure H 2 S O 4 ≥ 500 lbs H_2SO_4 \ge 500\text{ lbs} H 2 S O 4 ≥ 500 lbs , Tier II reporting is legally required.
Annual Tier II Filing Mechanics:
Filing Deadline: Due annually by March 1 for the preceding calendar year (January 1 to December 31).
Mandatory Recipients (The "Three-Door Rule"): Submissions must be delivered simultaneously to:
- The State Emergency Response Commission (SERC) ;
- The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) ; and
The Local Fire Department having jurisdiction.
Submittal Software: Most states require electronic submittal using EPA's Tier2 Submit desktop software or online portal platforms such as E-Plan or state-specific environmental portals.
Mandatory Tier II Data Fields:
Physical and health hazards classified under GHS/OSHA (e.g., Flammable Liquid, Corrosive, Carcinogen, STOT).
Maximum daily amount on-site (using EPA 2-digit range codes, e.g., Code 04 = 10,000 to 99,999 lbs).
Average daily amount on-site.
Number of days on-site.
Storage container types (e.g., Aboveground tank, Steel drum, Plastic carboy, Cylinder).
Storage pressure and temperature (e.g., Ambient temp / Ambient pressure; Cryogenic / Pressurized).
Precise facility storage locations (building, room, lot) and confidential site plans.
4. EPCRA Section 313: Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) Reporting
EPCRA Section 313 establishes the Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) , codified in 40 CFR Part 372 . TRI tracks the annual management, environmental release, off-site transfer, recycling, treatment, and energy recovery of approximately 800 listed toxic chemicals and chemical categories .
The Three-Part TRI Applicability Test:
A facility MUST file an annual TRI report if and only if it meets ALL THREE of the following statutory criteria: +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
- | TRI SECTION 313 THREE-PART APPLICABILITY TEST |
- | |
- | [ STEP 1: NAICS CODE ] [ STEP 2: EMPLOYEE COUNT ] [ STEP 3: THRESHOLDS]|
- | Covered Industry Sector: >= 10 Full-Time Equivalents Exceeds Activity TQ: |
- | - Manufacturing (31-33) (>= 20,000 labor hours/yr - 25k lbs Manufacture|
- | - Mining (212) including contractors & - 25k lbs Process |
- | - Utilities (2211) temporary personnel) - 10k lbs Other Use |
- | - Commercial TSDFs (5622) - Lower for PBTs |
- +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
- 1. Covered NAICS Industry Sector
Primary North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes include:
Manufacturing: Sectors 31, 32, and 33 (e.g., chemical, metal fabrication, electronics, automotive, food processing).
Mining: Sector 212 (metal mining, coal mining).
Electric Power Generation: Sector 2211 (coal- and oil-fired electric utilities).
Commercial Hazardous Waste TSDFs: Sectors 562212, 562213, and 562219.
Solvent Recovery Services: Sector 562920.
Chemical & Petroleum Wholesale: Sectors 424690 (chemical distributors) and 424710 (petroleum bulk terminals).
Federal Facilities: Mandated under Executive Order to report regardless of NAICS code.
2. Full-Time Employee Equivalent Threshold (10 FTEs)
The facility must have 10 or more full-time employee equivalents , defined mathematically as 20,000 total labor hours worked across all personnel (full-time, part-time, temporary, and on-site contractors) during the reporting calendar year: Total Hours Worked ≥ 20 , 000 hours ⟹ Employee Threshold Met \text{Total Hours Worked} \ge 20,000\text{ hours} \implies \text{Employee Threshold Met} Total Hours Worked ≥ 20 , 000 hours ⟹ Employee Threshold Met
3. Chemical Activity Thresholds (Standard Non-PBT Chemicals)
Activity thresholds are calculated separately for three distinct functional categories:
Manufacture: ≥ 25 , 000 lbs/year \ge 25,000\text{ lbs/year} ≥ 25 , 000 lbs/year — To produce, prepare, import, or generate a toxic chemical as a primary product, byproduct, or coincident impurity.
Process: ≥ 25 , 000 lbs/year \ge 25,000\text{ lbs/year} ≥ 25 , 000 lbs/year — The preparation of a toxic chemical, after its manufacture, for distribution in commerce (e.g., incorporating raw materials into paint formulations, blending solvents, reacting monomers into polymers, repackaging bulk chemicals).
Otherwise Used: ≥ 10 , 000 lbs/year \ge 10,000\text{ lbs/year} ≥ 10 , 000 lbs/year — Any use of a toxic chemical that is not manufacturing or processing (e.g., chemical processing aids, carrier solvents, degreasers, lubricants, refrigerants, boiler water treatment chemicals, wastewater neutralization acids).
Important
Non-Aggregation Rule Across Activity Types: Manufacturing, processing, and otherwise used thresholds are mutually exclusive . You do NOT aggregate processing amounts with otherwise used amounts. For instance, if a plant processes 20,000 lbs of toluene and otherwise uses 8,000 lbs of toluene, neither threshold is exceeded ( 20 , 000 < 25 , 000 20,000 < 25,000 20 , 000 < 25 , 000 and 8 , 000 < 10 , 000 8,000 < 10,000 8 , 000 < 10 , 000 ), and no TRI report is required for toluene.
5. Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic (PBT) Chemicals
To capture toxic chemicals that bioaccumulate in food chains and persist in the environment even at low quantities, EPA established substantially lower reporting thresholds for PBT chemicals (40 CFR § 372.28). +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
- | TRI PBT CHEMICALS & LOWERED REPORTING THRESHOLDS |
- | |
- | PBT CHEMICAL / CATEGORY ANNUAL ACTIVITY THRESHOLD (MFG/PROC/USE)|
- | ---------------------------------------+--------------------------------------- |
- | Lead and Lead Compounds* 100 lbs / year |
- | Mercury and Mercury Compounds 10 lbs / year |
- | Dioxin and Dioxin-Like Compounds 0.1 gram (100 milligrams) / year |
- | Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds (PACs) 100 lbs / year |
- | Benzo(g,h,i)perylene 10 lbs / year |
- | Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) 10 lbs / year |
- | Hexachlorobenzene, Toxaphene 10 lbs / year |
- | Listed PFAS Compounds (NDAA additions) 100 lbs / year |
- +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
*Note: The 100 lb threshold for lead excludes lead contained in stainless steel, brass, or bronze alloys (which remain subject to standard 25,000/10,000 lb thresholds).
Critical PBT Special Restrictions:
No De Minimis Exemption: Standard non-PBT chemicals enjoy a de minimis exemption (mixtures containing < 1.0% of standard toxics or < 0.1% of OSHA-defined carcinogens are exempt from threshold calculations). PBT chemicals have ZERO de minimis exemption —every fraction of a pound must be counted.
Form A Prohibition: PBT chemicals are strictly ineligible for Form A certification statements, regardless of release quantities.
Precision Level: Releases must be reported in exact numbers rather than broad range codes; Dioxins must be reported in grams and toxic equivalency (TEQ) factors.
6. Form R vs. Form A Determination & Filing Protocols
Facilities exceeding a TRI chemical activity threshold must complete one of two EPA reporting forms by July 1 annually for the previous calendar year via EPA's electronic portal, TRI-MEweb (accessible through the Central Data Exchange, CDX). +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
- | FORM R VS. FORM A COMPARISON MATRIX |
- | |
- | CRITERION FORM R FORM A |
- | -------------------------+--------------------------------+------------------- |
- | Report Type Detailed Release & Waste Mgmt Simplified 2-page |
- | Report (5+ pages per chemical) Certification Stmt |
- | -------------------------+--------------------------------+------------------- |
- | PBT Eligibility Mandatory for all eligible PBTs PROHIBITED for PBTs |
- | -------------------------+--------------------------------+------------------- |
- | Annual Release / Waste Any amount <= 500 lbs/year |
- | Management Threshold total reportable amt|
- | -------------------------+--------------------------------+------------------- |
- | Total Volume Handled Any amount exceeding 25k/10k <= 1,000,000 lbs/yr |
- | (Mfg + Proc + Use) activity thresholds total combined |
- | -------------------------+--------------------------------+------------------- |
- | Release Breakdown Data Detailed: Air (Stack/Fugitive), None: Single check- |
- | Water, Land, Off-site, P2 Data box certification |
- +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
Form R Detailed Release & Waste Accounting (Sections 5 through 8):
Section 5: On-Site Releases:
5.1 Fugitive / Non-point air emissions (leaking valves, pump seals, building evaporative loss).
5.2 Stack / Point air emissions (scrubber exhausts, baghouse stacks, incinerator vents).
5.3 Surface water discharges (direct NPDES outfalls with receiving stream name).
5.4 Underground injection (Class I UIC deep injection wells).
5.5 Land disposal on-site (RCRA landfills, land treatment, surface impoundments).
Section 6: Off-Site Transfers: Transfers to Publicly Owned Treatment Works ( POTWs ) and off-site TSDFs for recycling, energy recovery, treatment, or disposal.
Section 8: Source Reduction and Pollution Prevention (P2): Mandatory accounting under the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) of 1990 tracking the quantity recycled on-site/off-site, energy recovery on-site/off-site, treated on-site/off-site, and catastrophic one-time releases.