Summary of Federal Laws

 

Environmental Laws                                                                  

Compliance Partners

EHS Program Manager

 

Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)

 

42 U.S.C. §§ 11,001-11,050; 40 C.F.R. §§ 370.1-370.41, 372.25 and 372.27, 48 C.F.R. § 52.223-13; 40 CFR Part 355; Exec. Order No. 12,969 (60 Fed. Reg. 40,989 (Aug. 8, 1995))

 

This law, Title III of Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act, requires the disclosure of all toxic chemicals used or stored and also requires emergency planning.  

 

Reporting Requirements

The Emergency Planning Notification requirement involves chemicals listed on the extremely hazardous substances list (see 40 CFR part 355). See the EPA web page on Section 302 (c) for reporting requirements.

The Emergency Release Notification Requirement comes into play if an accidental chemical release exceeds the applicable minimal reportable quantity. See the EPA web page on section 304 for the reporting requirements.

 

The Hazarous Chemical Storage Reporting Requirement applys to any hazardous chemical used or stored in the workplace. Facilities must maintain a material safety data sheet. See the EPA web page on Section 311-312 for reporting requirements.

 

The Toxic Release Inventory Reporting requirement requires the EPA and the states to annually collect data on releases and transfers of certain toxic chemicals from industrial facilities. See the EPA web page on Section 313 for an explanation of the Toxic Release Inventory Program. This section does not apply to colleges and universities.

 

See The Campus Environmental Resource Center for a summary of the EPCRA as it applies to colleges and universities.

 

Resources
EPA web page on EPCRA

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EPCRA Fact Sheet

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EPCRA FAQ
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Amherst College Community Right to Know web page
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links updated 3/17/06 pth

updated 3/10/09 by mlo to add compliance partner and resources; complete revision of text
compliance box links updated 6/3/09 rab