EPA’s final revisions to the Chemical Accident Prevention Provisions under 40 CFR 68, also known as the Risk Management Program (RMP), were published in last Friday’s Federal Register. The revisions 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.
 |
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 on March 14, 2017.
The rule was published in the January 13, 2017, FR.