Toxics Release Inventory

The annual public reporting of releases and transfers of listed toxic chemicals, under EPCRA Section 313.

The Toxics Release Inventory records how much of each listed toxic chemical a covered facility released to air, water or land, or transferred off site, during the previous calendar year.

It applies to facilities in covered industry sectors with 10 or more full-time equivalent employees that manufacture, process or otherwise use a listed chemical above the applicable threshold: generally 25,000 pounds manufactured or processed, or 10,000 pounds otherwise used, with far lower thresholds for persistent bioaccumulative toxics.

The data is published and searchable, which is the point: TRI is a disclosure programme rather than a limit on releases.

Related terms

• EPCRA Section 313The Toxics Release Inventory: annual reporting of releases and transfers of listed toxic chemicals.
• Form R and Form AThe two TRI reporting forms: full reporting, and an abbreviated certification.
• July 1 deadlineThe annual due date for Toxics Release Inventory reports.

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