On December 21, 2016, EPA finalized revisions to the Chemical Accident Prevention Provisions under 40 CFR 68, also known as the Risk Management Program (RMP). The revisions, which were proposed back in March 2016, are intended to improve elements of the RMP, enhance emergency preparedness, and ensure that local emergency response officials and the public have the necessary information to adequately prepare for an emergency.
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Changes to the regulations, many of which have been modified from the proposed version, include:
- An additional analysis of safer technology and alternatives as part of the process hazard analysis for some Program 3 processes;
- Third-party audits and incident investigation root cause analysis for Program 2 and Program 3 processes;
- Enhancements to the emergency preparedness requirements; and
- Increased public availability of chemical hazard information.
The revised regulations will be effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register.