Compliance Assistance

Air | Solid/Hazardous Waste | Water/Wastewater | Chemicals/Toxics | Other


Air

PCRC Plain Language Guide

Federal Air Regulations

  • Federal Regulations for Solvent Use and Surface Coating. Locate all current EPA regulations and guidelines including National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) and Control Techniques Guidelines (CTG). Resources include links to final rules, factsheets, etc.
  • National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Metal Fabrication and Finishing Area Source Rule (40 CFR part 63, subpart XXXXXX). The Subpart 6X rule covers spray painting, dry abrasive blasting, dry grinding and dry polishing with machines, dry machining, and welding for specific industry categories. The compliance date for existing facilities was July 25, 2011.
  • National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants: Paint Stripping and Miscellaneous Surface Coating Operations at Area Sources (40 CFR Part 63, Subpart HHHHHH). The 6H rule is applicable to a broad range of facilities, including autobody refinishers. The compliance deadline for existing sources was January 10, 2011.
  • NESHAP Halogenated Solvent Cleaning—May 2007 Revisions. In 2007, EPA published the first significant change in these rules since the National Emission Standard for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for solvent cleaning operations was published in 1994.

    Air Emissions Information and Compliance Resources

  • PCRC VOC/HAP Emissions Calculators. Calculate the pounds of VOC per gallon of paint. Learn more about the calculators by reading Understanding and Using the PCRC Emissions Calculators.
  • Ask the Expert Archive of Questions and Answers. We are sorry to report that Ron Joseph, our paint expert for many years, passed away in January of 2011. We are maintaining his large Q&A archive. Much of Ron's advice is still applicable today.
  • Permitting Under the Clean Air Act. Covers various permitting topics, including permitting tools and related resources and links to state and local permitting authorities.
  • Applicability Determination Index. Search this database that contains memoranda issued by EPA on applicability and compliance issues associated with air pollution regulations (e.g., Maximum Achievable Control Technology).
  • Potential to Emit. This tool (download in Microsoft Excel format) is designed to assist your facility in estimating its potential to emit (PTE) air emissions from painting/coating operations.
  • Environmental Compliance Assistance for Auto Body Repair Shops. Provides environmental regulatory information for auto body shops. Covers 6H Rule and includes both federal and sate information.

    State Regulations and Resources

  • Air Pollution State Resource Locator. Find state and regional air regulatory agencies and rules.
  • Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP). Locate someone in your state that can provide environmental compliance assistance at no charge for your small business.

     

    Solid/Hazardous Waste

    • PCRC Plain Language Guides to Regulations – Hazardous Waste Management and Disposal. Basic instructions on how to comply with hazardous waste regulations associated with metal parts cleaning and spray painting.
    • Hazardous Waste Regulations

    • EPA Hazardous Waste Regulations. Covers a wide range of topics, including regulations for specific industrial activities.
    • Hazardous Waste Determination. Determining if your waste is hazardous is an important first step in correctly managing that waste.
    • Determining Your Hazardous Waste Generator Category. EPA established three categories of generators in the regulations: very small quantity generators (VSQG), small quantity generators (SQG), and large quantity generators (LQG). The volume of hazardous waste each generator produces in a calendar month determines which regulations apply.
    • Hazardous Waste Manifest System. EPA's hazardous waste manifest system is designed to track hazardous waste from the time it leaves the generator facility where it was produced, until it reaches the off-site waste management facility that will store, treat or dispose of the hazardous waste.
    • Hazardous Waste Electronic (e-Manifest) Manifest System. EPA established a national system for tracking hazardous waste shipments electronically. EPA launched e-Manifest on June 30, 2018. Under the e-Manifest Act and EPA's implementing regulations, manifest users may continue to use paper manifests, however, EPA strongly encourages the use of electronic manifests as these manifests will be the least expensive and easiest way to comply with the regulations.
    • Biennial Hazardous Waste Report. Federal regulations require large quantity generators to submit a report every two years regarding the nature, quantities and disposition of hazardous waste generated at their facility.

      Hazardous Waste Information and Compliance Resources

    • Steps in Complying with Hazardous Waste Regulations. Identify, count, notify, manage, transport, and dispose.
    • Hazardous Waste Generator Regulatory Summary. A table that provides a summary of requirements for each class of hazardous waste generator.
    • Managing Your Hazardous Waste: A Guide for Small Businesses. This handbook provides an overview of the regulations to give you a basic understanding of your responsibilities when generating and managing hazardous waste.
    • Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Orientation Manual. This manual provides introductory information on the solid and hazardous waste management programs under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
    • How to Obtain EPA Identification Number. Federal regulations require large and small quantity generators of hazardous waste to obtain an EPA Identification (EPA ID) number using EPA Form 8700-12 and to submit the completed form to the authorized state agency or EPA regional office.
    • Summary of Requirements for Very Small Quantity Generators. If you generate no more than 100 kg (220 lbs) of hazardous waste and no more than 1 kg (2.2 lbs) of acute hazardous waste per month, you are a VSQG. As a VSQG, you must comply with three basic waste management requirements.
    • Hazardous Waste Requirements for Large Quantity Generators. To assist your business in learning about these requirements, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has prepared this summary fact sheet.
    • EPA Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule. On November 28, 2016, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published in the Federal register the final Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule. This regulation amends the requirements governing hazardous waste generators under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
    • EPA Regulatory Determinations. Find organic coating-specific EPA RCRA determinations.

      State Hazardous Waste Resources

    • RCRA/Hazardous Waste Resource Locator. The rules for managing hazardous waste can vary from state to state. Find your state's regulations, along with permit forms, guidance, contact information and other helpful resources.
    • Universal Waste Resource Locator. Some common items (batteries, pesticides, etc.) may be exempt from hazardous waste rules. Find out which items are designated as Universal Wastes in your state, link to state regulations, and local contacts at state agencies.
    • TSD & Recycling Facilities Locator. Use this on-line directory for locating hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal (TSD) and recycling facilities.
    • Differences in State vs Federal Hazardous Waste Regulations. EPA established basic hazardous waste management standards for businesses who produce hazardous waste. In some states the regulations differ from the federal regulations, e.g., generator categories. Use this table to determine if there are differences in your state.

    Water/Wastewater

  • PCRC Plain Language Guides to Regulations – Wastewater Discharges. Basic instructions on how to comply with wastewater regulations associated with metal parts cleaning and spray painting.

    Wastewater and Stormwater Regulations

  • Metal Finishing Effluent Guidelines. Some metal cleaning/painting operations are covered by the metal finishing effluent guidelines. Also, local authorities may use these standards to set limits for operations that do not qualify as metal finishing but are similar in nature.
  • Stormwater Discharges from Industrial Activities. Material handling and storage, equipment maintenance and cleaning, and other activities at industrial facilities are often exposed to the weather. Runoff from rainfall or snowmelt that contacts these activities can pick up pollutants, and transport them directly to a nearby river, lake, or coastal water or indirectly via a storm sewer and degrade water quality. Most metal cleaning/painting operations must comply with stormwater rules and are regulated under the EPA's multi-sector general permit or state equivalent. 
  • Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) - Painting facilities are subject to the SPCC rule if they have aboveground oil storage capacity greater than 1,320 U.S. gallons, or completely buried oil storage capacity greater than 42,000 U.S. gallons.

    Wastewater and Stormwater Information and Compliance Resources

  • Metal Finishing Effluent Guidelines - Background and Guidance Documents. 
  • Stormwater Rules. A guide for painting facilities for meeting stormwater regulations.
  • Stormwater Discharges from Industrial Activities-Fact Sheets and Guidance. This fact sheet specifically discusses stormwater discharges from the fabricated metal products manufacturing facilities. Facilities in this group require coverage under an industrial stormwater permit.

    State Wastewater and Stormwater Resources

  • Industrial Storm Water Resource Locator. Find stormwater permit forms and guidance documents for industrial facilities, and persons you can contact in your state agency for additional assistance.
  • Storm Water Training Resource Locator. Do you need to find information on Storm Water Training? Find storm water training resources available in your state with this tool.
  • Total Maximum Daily Load Resource Locator. Some streams and lakes are covered by Total Maximum Daily Load rules for sediment control. Find out about the TMDL program in your state and determine whether your facility will be affected by TMDL rules.

    Chemicals/Toxics

  • PCRC Plain Language Guides to Regulations – Toxic Chemical Reporting. Basic instructions on how to comply with Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reporting with an emphasis on metal parts cleaning and spray painting operations.
  • Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards. Do these standards apply to your plating shop? Find out here.
  • Lead and TRI Reporting. A guidance document for determining the applicability of TRI reporting and links to reporting resources.
  • Lead Paint Removal Information (CICA Center). Federal Rule Establishes Requirements During Renovation, Repair and Painting Activities that Disturb Lead-Based Paint.
  • LEPC/SERC Locator. Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs) work to understand chemical hazards in the community, develop emergency plans in case of an accidental release, and look for ways to prevent chemical accidents.
  • REACH — Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemical substances is a European Community Regulation (EC 1907/2006) that became effective on June 1, 2007.  It replaces several fragmented European directives and regulations within a single system. 

    Other

  • STERC Audit Policy Page. STERC has prepared a resource which examines EPA's Self-Audit Policy. It also details the relationship of Federal and state rules and links to additional information from around the Web.
  • Policy on Compliance Incentives for Small Businesses. EPA's policy and guidance to assist small businesses comply with federal environmental requirements.
  • Regulations. Full text and summaries of federal regulations.
  • EPA Region and State Pollution Prevention (P2) contacts. Technical Assistance Programs (TAPs) provide businesses with cutting edge environmental management assistance and help identify and implement measures that reduce or eliminate pollution at its source.
  • Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP). Locate someone in your state that can provide environmental compliance assistance at no charge for your small business.
  • EPA Self-Audit and Inspection Guide. A self-audit and inspection guide for organic finishing of metals.
  • Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards. In general, CFATS will not apply to most painting facilities because the minimum concentrations and/or threshold quantities of applicable chemicals are beyond those of chemicals present at most shops.
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