Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program, what is it and how does it affect my business

What is the Toxics Release Inventory?

Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) created the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program. Under the requirements of EPCRA, all U.S. facilities that meet TRI reporting criteria must submit TRI data to EPA and the relevant state or tribe by July 1 of each year. TRI tracks the management of certain toxic chemicals that may pose a threat to human health and the environment. U.S. facilities in different industry sectors must report annually how much of each chemical is released to the environment and/or managed through recycling, energy recovery and treatment. (A “release” of a chemical means that it is emitted to the air or water, or placed in some type of land disposal.)The information submitted by facilities is compiled in the Toxics Release Inventory. TRI helps support informed decision-making by companies, government agencies, non-governmental organizations and the public.

What are TRI toxic chemicals?

In general, chemicals covered by the TRI Program are those that cause:

• Cancer or other chronic human health effects
• Significant adverse acute human health effects
• Significant adverse environmental effects

There are currently 595 individually listed chemicals and 33 chemical categories covered by the TRI Program. Facilities that manufacture, process or otherwise use these chemicals in amounts above established levels must submit annual reporting forms for each chemical.

Who Must Report

EPCRA Section 313 requires that reports be filed by owners and operators of facilities that meet all of the following criteria:

• The facility has 10 or more full-time employee equivalents (i.e., a total of 20,000 hours or greater; see 40 CFR 372.3);
• The facility is included in one or more of the specific TRI-covered North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes
• The facility manufactures, processes, or otherwise uses any EPCRA Section 313 chemical in quantities greater than the established threshold in the course of a calendar year.

What Happens If You Don’t Submit a TRI?

The EPA has issued heavy fines from $5,000 to $100,000 and up to companies that fail to or inaccurately file their annual report. If you are unsure if your facility is required to submit a Toxic Release Inventory form contact Walden Environmental Engineering.