Interpreting the 2016 CDR Data
On this page:
- 2016 Chemical Data Reporting Results
- Summary of 2016 CDR Data
- Comparison between 2012 and 2016 submission periods
2016 Chemical Data Reporting Results
On this page, EPA has summarized key information from the 2016 Chemical Data Reporting, which is EPA's most recent CDR data that is publicly available.
EPA published the initial 2016 CDR database in May 2017. In May 2020, EPA released updated 2016 CDR data which includes information that was previously classified as confidential business information (CBI), like aggregate production volumes and site-specific production volumes. The Lautenberg Act amendments to TSCA were signed into law during the 2016 CDR submission period and changed CDR CBI reporting requirements. As a result, EPA conducted a thorough substantiation and verification process with companies that submitted 2016 CDR data. This process allowed the agency to determine which claims met the new legal standard and ensure that valid CBI claims remained protected.
Read the Chemical Data Reporting Fact Sheet: Basic Information.
Summary of 2016 CDR Data
Who reported in 2016?
Manufacturers (including importers) of chemicals listed on the TSCA Inventory and produced in volumes of 25,000 lbs or more at a site during any of the calendar years 2012, 2013, 2014, or 2015.
What were the reporting thresholds?
- Chemical substances manufactured with an annual volume of 25,000 lbs (11,340 kg) or more.
- Lower thresholds applied for certain chemical substances subject to regulatory action under TSCA with an annual volume of 2,500 lbs (1,134 kg) or more.
What information was reported in 2016?
2016 CDR data contain the following information on chemical substances manufactured (including imported) for the year 2015:
- Production volume of each reportable chemical reported separately as domestically manufactured volume and imported volume,
- Manufacturing information, including the number of workers reasonably likely to be exposed and the physical form of the chemical substance,
- Industrial processing and use, including chemical-specific industrial function categories and the number of sites, and
- Consumer and commercial use information, including chemical-specific product categories, and whether the chemical was used in products intended for children.
For the years 2012, 2013, and 2014, manufacturers (including importers) also reported total annual production volume (domestically manufactured plus imported) of each reportable chemical.
What is different from the data collection in 2016 compared to 2012?
The 2011 CDR Modifications rule phased in a series of changes to the data collection that were fully implemented with the 2016 submission period. CDR’s improved reporting requirements enhance the Agency’s ability to more effectively identify and address potential risks. Most changes became effective for the 2012 submission; however, some were implemented for the 2016 submission. These 2016 changes included:
- Reporting became triggered based on the volumes for any calendar year since the last principal reporting year. For 2016, reporting was triggered based on the production volume for 2012, 2013, 2014, or 2015. In contrast, reporting for 2012 was triggered based only on the production volume for 2011.
- A lower reporting threshold of 2,500 lbs (1,134 kg) or more became effective for chemical substances subject to certain TSCA actions. As of June 1, 2016, this threshold applied to chemicals subject to:
- TSCA section 5(a)(2) Significant New Use Rules (SNURs)
- TSCA section 5(b)(4) Chemical of Concern List rules
- TSCA section 6 rules (e.g., containing prohibitions/restrictions arising from unreasonable risk findings)
- An order in effect under TSCA sections 5(e) or 5(f)
- Relief that has been granted under a civil action under TSCA sections 5 or 7
The reporting threshold of 25,000 lbs for chemical substances not subject to these actions remained the same as it was for the 2012 CDR.
Processing and use information became required for all reported chemical substances, unless the chemical substance was one of the listed partially exempted chemical substances. For the 2012 CDR, processing and use information was required only for chemical substances with a production volume of 100,000 lbs or greater.
Manufacturers (including importers) were required to report annual production volume for years prior to the principal reporting year. For the 2016 CDR, the prior years included 2012, 2013, and 2014. In contrast, for the 2012 CDR, the prior year only included 2010. See a Summary of CDR Reporting Requirements for 2006 to 2016.
What else do I need to know to use the 2016 CDR data?
To learn how to access CDR data: Access CDR Data
For information about using the CDR data: Using the 2016 CDR Database
Comparison between 2012 and 2016 Submission Periods
| Number of… | 2012 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| Total Form U’s Reported |
4,935 |
5,603 |
| Companies Reporting |
1,987 |
2,247 |
| Sites Reporting |
4,305 |
4,917 |
| Chemicals Reported |
7,970 |
8,707 |
| Chemicals Reported as Domestically Manufactured |
5,881 |
5,919 |
| Chemicals Reported as Imported |
4,118 |
4,415 |
| Chemicals with Downstream Processing and Use Information |
5,858 |
7,930 |
| Chemicals with Reported Industrial Process and Use Information |
5,773 |
7,730 |
| Chemicals with Reported Consumer/Commercial Use Information (total) |
4,716 |
7,106 |
|
Consumer Use Only |
687 |
1,012 |
|
Commercial Use Only |
2,571 |
3,874 |
|
Commercial and Consumer Use |
1,458 |
2,220 |
| Chemicals Reported as Used in Children’s Products |
377 |
465 |