The Toxic Substances Control Act requires certain manufactures (whether here in Georgia or elsewhere), including those that import substances, to comply with the Chemical Data Reporting rule enforced by the Environmental Protection Agency. This rule requires companies who produce and use large quantities of certain chemicals. The EPA compiles information related to chemical exposure. If your company is one that must be in compliance with this rule, it may help to understand what you need to do in order to avoid running into trouble with the EPA.
The EPA compiles data relating to the use and quantities of certain chemicals being manufactured or imported here in the United States. The aim is to help ensure that the public is protected from exposure to certain substances that may be toxic. If you use or produce more than 25,000 pounds of a qualifying toxic chemical each year, you are required to comply with the act and the rule. It should be noted that only 2,500 pounds per year of certain chemicals also requires reporting.
Every four years, you will need to provide the required information to the EPA, which is then available for the public. The EPA uses the information to assess the risks that certain chemicals may have on the health of those working or living around the manufacturing base. The agency has set up an electronic reporting system, which may be the easiest part of complying with the rule.
The more difficult part of complying with the rule is understanding whether your company needs to provide the information required. In addition to the potential health risks to the public from potential chemical exposure, the penalties for failing to comply could be substantial. It may be beneficial to sit down with a Georgia environmental attorney to determine whether your company must comply with the act and the rule based on the chemicals your company manufactures or uses.
Source: epa.gov, “Basic Information for Chemical Data Reporting“, Accessed on Oct. 8, 2017