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PA EPA ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM MEETS WITH SUCCESS IN FOOD MANUFACTURING AND PROCESSING SECTOR
Release Date: 10/03/97
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1997
EPA ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM MEETS WITH
SUCCESS IN FOOD MANUFACTURING AND PROCESSING SECTOR
SUCCESS IN FOOD MANUFACTURING AND PROCESSING SECTOR
EPA has completed an industry-wide sector compliance incentives initiative which has increased the data that state and local emergency responders receive from food manufacturing and processing companies on hazardous chemicals stored on site. The food products sector was chosen because of the potentially large number of facilities which stored regulated quantities of hazardous chemicals including ammonia, chlorine and sulfuric and nitric acids. This is one of several compliance incentive programs adopted by EPA to encourage industry to correct violations as an alternative to the Agency’s use of more traditional enforcement measures. Through this initiative, the food manufacturing and processing companies provided information about hazardous chemicals stored at facilities in response to a time-limited offer by EPA to reduce penalties for violations of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA). One hundred thirty one companies submitted hazardous chemical data, for which EPA fined them $262,000, significantly less than they otherwise would have been liable. The EPCRA hazardous chemical inventory report is due on March 1 of each year to state emergency response commissions, local emergency planning committees, and local fire departments. Data on hazardous chemical inventories provided by facilities are crucial for local communities to effectively develop and implement emergency response plans for hazardous spills or releases, and to enhance community awareness of the chemical hazards within the local area. EPA first conducted compliance assistance, followed by enforcement for failure to submit hazardous chemical inventory information. Facilities were contacted directly by EPA and given a time-limited opportunity to come into compliance while paying a greatly reduced penalty of $2,000 per facility under the national sector enforcement agreement. This initiative is now concluded and the sector enforcement agreement is no longer available. EPA has established the EPCRA Hotline to provide technical assistance free of charge to facilities at 1-800-424-9346.
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