Reporting threshold

The quantity at which a chemical becomes reportable: 10,000 lb for most, lower for Extremely Hazardous Substances.

Under EPCRA Section 312 the federal thresholds are 10,000 pounds for a hazardous chemical, and for an Extremely Hazardous Substance the lower of 500 pounds or its Threshold Planning Quantity.

The threshold is measured against the maximum amount present at any single moment during the year, not an average and not the amount on hand at year end. Crossing it once creates an obligation for the whole reporting year.

Gasoline and diesel at retail fuel facilities carry their own higher thresholds under a specific exemption, which is why fuel stations often report differently from other sites.

Related terms

• Tier II reportThe annual inventory of hazardous chemicals a facility held during the previous calendar year, filed under EPCRA Section 312.
• EPCRA Section 312The annual hazardous chemical inventory requirement, the section the Tier II report is filed under.
• Threshold Planning QuantityThe amount of an Extremely Hazardous Substance at which emergency planning obligations begin.

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