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

Very witty instructor, made the long times sitting bearable. One of the few training courses I can say I actually enjoyed.

John Hutchinson

Senior EHS Engineer

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 clearly enjoys his job and transmits that enthusiasm. He made a dry subject very interesting and fun.

Teresa Arellanes

EHS Manager

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

Lion is my preferred trainer for hazmat and DOT.

Jim Jani

Environmental Coordinator

The course was very well structured and covered the material in a clear, concise manner.

Ian Martinez

Hazmat Shipping Professional

The course was very informative and presented in a way that was easily understood and remembered. I would recommend this course.

Jeffrey Tierno

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Excellent job. Made what is very dry material interesting. Thoroughly explained all topics in easy-to-understand terms.

David Hertvik

Vice President

Excellent. I learned more in two days with Lion than at a 5-day program I took with another provider.

Francisco Gallardo

HES Technician

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

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Hazardous materials shipment rejections bear a big cost. Use this guide to end operational and logistical disruptions that severely impact your bottom line.

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.