Search

Final Rule Alert: NPEs Added to EPCRA TRI Reporting

Posted on 6/18/2018 by Roger Marks

US EPA promulgated a Final Rule on June 12, 2018 to add a category for nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) to the reporting requirements in Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). 

Commonly referred to as the Toxic Release Inventory, or TRI, program, Section 313 of EPCRA requires facilities in certain industries to report to EPA if they manufacture, process, or use certain hazardous chemicals in volumes that exceed regulatory thresholds.

Identify your site’s chemical inventory and release reporting responsibilities under EPCRA and CERCLA with the Superfund and Right-to-Know Act Regulations Online Course.  


What Are NPEs?

Nonylphenol Ethoxylates (NPEs) are nonionic surfactants—i.e., they reduce tension between materials, making them easier to separate—used in the manufacture of cleaning products, adhesives, wetting agents, paints, emulsifiers, lawn care products, personal care products, and detergents. NPEs are also used in water treatment, textiles, metal working, oil field operations, and pulp and paper mills.

Because NPEs are often used in “down-the-drain,” household-type products, contamination has been found in the water, sediment, soil, and aquatic life. The chemicals have also been found in human breast milk, blood, and urine.

For a complete list of chemicals covered by this rulemaking, see EPA’s Final Rule in the Federal Register.


Does TRI Reporting Cover My Site?

To determine whether EPCRA Section 313 reporting applies to your site’s activities, you can ask yourself four questions.
  1. Is your facility’s primary SIC code on the EPCRA Section 313 list?
  2. Does your facility employ ten or more full-time equivalent employees?
  3. Does your facility manufacture, process, or use EPCRA Section 313 chemicals?
  4. Does your facility exceed any of the activity thresholds for EPCRA Section 313 reporting?
For more details on EPCRA reporting applicability, read Know Your EPCRA Reporting Responsibilities.


EPCRA TRI Reporting Thresholds

The EPCRA TRI reporting thresholds are typically 25,000 pounds for chemicals manufactured or processed and 10,000 pounds for chemicals “otherwise used.” For so-called “chemicals of special concern” listed at 49 CFR 372.28, the reporting thresholds are significantly lower.



Build Your EHS Management Credentials

Are you the go-to person for all things EHS at your facility? Understanding the air, water, and chemical regulations that apply to your facility will help you communicate clearly and confidently with your organization and better defend your business against costly fines, penalties, and future liability.
 
Lion’s Complete Environmental Regulations Workshop is presented nationwide and covers the critical elements of the major EPA programs that affect industrial facilities every day.
 

Tags: chemical, chemicals, EPCRA, inventory, reporting and recordkeeing, TRI

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

Best instructor ever! I was going to take my DOT training w/a different provider, but based on this presentation, I will also be doing my DOT training w/Lion!

Donna Moot

Hazardous Waste Professional

The instructor's energy, enthusiasm, and knowledge of the subject make the class a great learning experience!

Brian Martinez

Warehouse Operator

These are the best commercial course references I have seen (10+ years). Great job!

Ed Grzybowski

EHS & Facility Engineer

I think LION does an excellent job of any training they do. Materials provided are very useful to my day-to-day work activities.

Pamela Embody

EHS Specialist

The exercises in the DOT hazardous materials management course are especially helpful in evaluating your understanding of course information.

Morgan Bliss

Principal Industrial Hygienist

My experience with Lion training, both online and in the classroom, is that they are far better organized and provide a better sequential explanation of the material.

Robert Roose

Manager, Dangerous Goods Transportation

The instructor was great, explaining complex topics in terms that were easily understandable and answering questions clearly and thoroughly.

Brittany Holm

Lab Supervisor

Very good. I have always appreciated the way Lion Tech develops, presents and provides training and materials.

John Troy

Environmental Specialist

The instructor had knowledge of regulations and understanding of real-world situations. The presentation style was engaging and fostered a positive atmosphere for information sharing.

Linda Arlen

Safety & Environmental Compliance Officer

Lion is at the top of the industry in compliance training. Course content and structure are updated frequently to make annual re-training enjoyable. I like that Lion has experts that I can contact for 1 year after the training.

Caroline Froning

Plant Chemist

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

This report details major changes for hazardous waste generators from US EPA’s Generator Improvements Rule, as well as the latest updates from states that are still working to adopt new, stricter Federal requirements.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.