Chemical inventory

The record of what hazardous chemicals a facility holds, in what quantities, and where.

A chemical inventory records the hazardous chemicals present at a facility with quantities and locations. It is the underlying dataset for Tier II reporting, threshold monitoring and emergency planning.

Because EPCRA thresholds are triggered by the maximum amount present at any point during the year, an inventory taken once annually can miss an obligation entirely. A chemical that peaked in July and was gone by December is still reportable.

Location detail matters beyond reporting: responders need to know which building and which room, not simply that a site holds a substance.

Related terms

• Tier II reportThe annual inventory of hazardous chemicals a facility held during the previous calendar year, filed under EPCRA Section 312.
• Reporting thresholdThe quantity at which a chemical becomes reportable: 10,000 lb for most, lower for Extremely Hazardous Substances.
• EPCRA Section 312The annual hazardous chemical inventory requirement, the section the Tier II report is filed under.

A plain-English explanation, not legal advice. Figures are the federal baseline; your state may differ, so see the state-by-state requirements.