Tag: EPA

Key Elements of EPA’s Academic Lab Rule

Note that the rule is not regarded by EPA as more stringent than existing regulations. This means that states authorized to run the federal RCRA program are not required to adopt the rule. In fact, while some states have adopted it since promulgation, others have expressed their opposition to it, and the rule may not […]

TSCA and the Intent to Manufacture

If you need to determine if a specific carbon nanotube is on the TSCA confidential inventory, you can submit a Bona Fide Intent to Manufacture or Import. The required contents of bona fide intents are listed at 40 CFR 720.25 and are intended to substantiate that a company genuinely intends to manufacture the substance and […]

EPCRA FAQ Roundup

Does EPA have any guidance for EPCRA Tier II reporting for tenant leased spaces? Who is responsible for reporting – the building owner or the tenant who has the hazardous chemicals in the leased space? We are not aware of any EPA guidance documents per se concerning Tier II reporting for leased spaces. However, EPA […]

TRI and Waste Management-Understanding Key Definitions

Waste management is included under the TRI definition of toxic chemicals that are otherwise used, which refers to activities that are not manufacturing or processing. TRI requires that subject facilities report releases and other waste management of listed chemicals. Facilities must also report transfers of toxic chemicals for waste management to off-site locations. Waste management […]

GHG Standards for Big Trucks

The Standards MD/HD vehicles are typically grouped into seven classes based on gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR), and ranging from 8,501 to 10,000 pounds (Class 2b) to more than 33,001 pounds (Class 8). However, for the purposes of standard-setting, the agencies divided the industry into three discrete regulatory categories: combination tractors, heavy-duty pickups and vans, […]

Getting Organized and Other EHS Recordkeeping Tips

Surprise! Don’t get caught without the necessary records in the event of a surprise EPA or state agency inspection. Here are some tips for getting and keeping your records organized. Employee training records should be filed by date and topic. In an effort to keep employee records organized, most supervisors put employee training records in […]

What to Expect from EPA over the Next 5 Years

Now, to achieve these goals, EPA promises to “Pursue vigorous civil and criminal enforcement that targets the most serious water, air, and chemical hazards in communities. Assure strong, consistent, and effective enforcement of federal environmental laws nationwide.” The FY 2011–2015 EPA Strategic Plan is accompanied by five crosscutting fundamental strategies that seek to adapt into […]

Beyond the Border—Managing Your Product for Import

The relentless advance of importation calls for a shift from the traditional emphasis on border inspections of imports to an approach that identifies high-risk segments in a product’s life cycle and verifies the safety of the product at those junctions. That’s the view of eight federal agencies, including EPA, which in 2009 issued a draft […]

EPA Rules and the National Power Grid

According to critics, at least eight proposed or final EPA rules (air, water, and waste) may force the retirement of up to 81 gigawatts (GW) of coal-fired generating capacity. (The Energy Information Administration says the total installed generating capacity of the U.S. electric power grid is about 1,119 GW with approximately 330 GW coal-fired.) About […]

What You Get Out of an EMS

Not Required But Still a Good Idea It is important to keep in mind that ISO 14001 is not a legal requirement. It is a voluntary set of management standards that may improve your environmental performance. EPA encourages industries to adopt these standards but offers no specific incentives (such as reduced frequency of inspections) in […]