Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA)/ Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA Title III)

How can I obtain TRI dataHow can I obtain TRI data that has been submitted?

The best way to obtain data is to visit the federal EPA webpage.  Keep in mind, TRI reports July 1 are for the prior calendar year.  Following submittal, data goes through various validation checks.  For these reasons, be aware available data will not be for the current year, and may yet be unavailable for last year.

• National analysis

• State Fact Sheets

• Envirofacts

The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA Title III), also known as the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) requires the annual reporting of data pertaining to releases and transfers of certain toxic chemicals.   The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 requires the reporting of data pertaining to toxic chemicals treated on-site, recycled, or utilized for energy recovery.  These laws target specific industry sectors.  As a result, certain facilities that manufacture, import, process, or use specific chemicals in amounts above specified thresholds, submit annual reports detailing disposal, releases, and other waste management activities. 

TRI does not regulate chemical discharges, and should not be interpreted as an indication of a facility’s level of regulatory compliance.  In fact, the vast majority of information provided in TRI reports is legal/appropriate waste disposal or is activity performed under and in compliance with a permit.

A facility need submit a TRI report ONLY if it meets all three of the following criteria:

• Facility type falls under a TRI-covered North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code (EPA TRI NAICS code webpage);

• Facility has 10 or more full-time employee equivalents; and

• Facility manufactures, imports, processes, or otherwise uses any EPCRA Section 313 chemical in quantities greater than the established threshold in the course of a calendar year (EPA TRI/Section 313 list).

Note: Executive Order 13423 requires federal facilities submit TRI reports regardless of NAICS code.

TRI Threshold Screening Tool

• TRI Covered NAICS Codes
• TRI Reportable Chemicals and Thresholds
  • TRI Listed Chemicals

When are TRI reports due?

TRI Reports are due no later than July 1, and must be submitted on an annual basis.  

Is there an EPA list of FAQ’s?

TRI Information Call Center

Questions: Regulatory & reporting Issues.

• (800) 424-9346 - option 3
• (703) 412-9810 - DC area
• (800) 553-7672 - TDD

Central Data Exchange

Questions: Access to CDX, user accounts, & the status of your submission.

• (970) 494-5500
• (888) 890-1995 - Toll Free
• (703) 227-4199 - Fax
• E-mail: helpdesk@epacdx.net

What types of guidance documents are available?

Some guidance documents are available on the EPA webpage. These documents are often Industry Specific or chemical specific, but some are broadly applicable to the TRI reporting community.

Have there been any TRI Reporting changes over the past year?

Yes, there have been some changes.  SOME recent changes and/or proposed changes are listed below.  Be aware this is not a full or complete list:

• Additional reportable chemicals -  16 chemicals have been added to the TRI list of reportable chemicals for RY2011.  The change became effective November 30, 2010, and applies to the reporting year beginning January 1, 2011 (reports due July 1, 2012);

• Electronic Reporting - EPA has  proposed a rule requiring electronic reporting of all TRI data;

• TRI Reporting Requirements for Hydrogen Sulfide - EPA reinstated the TRI reporting requirements for hydrogen sulfide. This action will be effective for the 2012 TRI reporting year, with the first 2012 TRI reports due from facilities by July 1, 2013.

What is the TRI reporting period?

Your TRI report is for activities that occurred during the preceding calendar year, beginning January 1 and ending December 31.  For instance, reports due July 1, 2012, will detail chemical activity for all of calendar year 2011.

How do I go about submitting a TRI Report?

Facilities have two options:

• Submit Electronically - Facilities are encouraged to report using this on-line option.  Reports submitted electronically to the federal EPA via TRI-MEweb, through the EPA Central Data Exchange (CDX), are automatically made available to the State; or
• Submit paper reports - Facilities may submit paper reports.  When using this option, facilities must submit a paper copy to both the state of SD and the federal EPA.  Be advised on March 5, 2012, the federal EPA proposed a rule to require future reports be submitted electronically. 

Are there any TRI Reporting Fees?

There is a TRI Reporting Fee.  The fee is calculated separately for each chemical report and ranges from $250 to $3,000.  The maximum fee per facility is $3,000.  An invoice for your TRI fee will be sent to you within a week of your TRI submittal.  If you do not receive an invoice, contact Trish at 800-433-2288.  You are ultimately responsible for ensuring your facility pays the TRI fee.  SARA TITLE III, TOXIC RELEASE INVENTORY (TRI) SECTION 313 REPORT FEES

Is any training available?

Yes.  There are some on-line training opportunities:

• TRI-MEweb Tutorials

• TRI Training Modules

Additional TRI info:

• TRI Chemicals
• Covered Industries
• Hydrogen Sulfide is now reportable
• TRI Rulemakings
• Current Regulatory Development Activities