Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act

What is the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA)?

October 17, 1986 – Congress passed the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act of 1986, commonly referred to as the SARA Title III, in response to concerns regarding the environmental and safety hazards posed by the storage and handling of toxic chemicals.

EPCRA establishes requirements for federal, state, and local governments, and industry regarding emergency planning and “Community Right-to-Know” reporting on hazardous and toxic chemicals.   The program is designed to increase public awareness and improve emergency planning and response to hazardous materials incidents.

What facilities are required to report?

  • Any facility that is subject to OSHA Hazardous Communication Standard, 1910.1200
  • Any facility that had one or more Extremely Hazardous Substances (EHS) with a quantity greater than the specific threshold quantity or 500 lbs. for more than a 24 period.
  • Any facility with one or more Hazardous Substance (HS) with a quantity greater than the specific threshold quantity or 10,000 lbs. “Hazardous Substance” refers to any chemical, element, chemical compound, or mixture of elements and/or compounds with “hazardous” characteristics.   If a chemical has one or more of the following characteristics, it is considered a hazardous substance under the program.
  • Acute (Immediate) Health Hazard
  • Chronic (Delayed) Health Hazard
  • Fire Hazard
  • Reactive Hazard
  • Sudden Release of Pressure Hazard

What facilities are exempt from reporting?

Note: Exemptions do not apply to “Extremely Hazardous Substance” notification under ORC 3750.05 and/or release reporting under ORC 3750.06

  • Any food, food additive, color additive, drug, or cosmetic regulated by the Food and Drug Administration
  • Any substance present as a solid in any manufactured item to the extent exposure to the substance does not occur under normal conditions of use
  • Any substance to the extent it is used for personal, family, or household purposes, or is present in the same form and concentration as a product packaged for distribution and used by the general public
  • Any substance to the extent is used in a research laboratory or a hospital or other medical facility under the direct supervision of a technically qualified individual
  • Any substance to the extent it is used in routine agricultural operations or is a fertilizer held for sale by a retailer to the ultimate customer

What is Tier2 Submit? 

Tier2 Submit is a free electronic chemical inventory report created by the U.S. EPA.  Ohio accepts Tier2 Submit.

When are the Chemical Inventory Reports due? 

Annual facility chemical inventory reports are due March 1st of each year.  All submissions must be postmarked on or before March 1st.   Facilities must submit the Chemical Inventory Report to:

State Emergency Response Commission
c/o Ohio EPA
Lazarus Government Center
50 West Town Street, Suite 700
P.O. Box 1049
Columbus, Ohio 43216-1049
Attn: SERC
Electronic reporting: SERC@epa.ohio.gov

Clermont County Local Emergency Planning Committee
Attn: LEPC Information Coordinator
2279 Clermont Center Drive
Batavia, Ohio 45103
Electronic reporting: clermontema@clermontcountyohio.gov

Local Fire Department

Where are filing fees sent?

Filing fees are due to the SERC no later than March 31st of each year.   Filing fees should be sent to:

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Dept. L-2711
Columbus, Ohio 43260-2711