EPA Releases New Resource Database and Reporting Tool Improvements Ahead of 2024 Chemical Data Reporting Period
Released on May 16, 2024
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reminding companies that the 2024 Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) cycle submission period begins on June 1, 2024, and runs through September 30, 2024. For this reporting period, EPA has created a new resource portal and improved the reporting tool to make the chemical data reporting process easier.
The CDR rule requires manufacturers (including importers) to report data to EPA every four years. These data include information concerning the manufacturing, processing, and use of such chemicals, unless exempt from this requirement under the CDR rule. The reporting requirements cover chemicals listed on the TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory if manufactured (including imported) above an applicable regulatory threshold. For the 2024 submission period, manufacturers (including importers) are subject to the reporting requirements based on manufacturing (including importing) activities conducted during the calendar years 2020-2023.
The CDR database helps EPA and a variety of interested parties—including communities, other regulatory agencies, industry, researchers, and nongovernmental organizations—understand the types, quantities, and uses of chemicals produced domestically or imported into the United States. Understanding how chemicals are being used helps EPA screen and prioritize chemicals to identify and evaluate potential human health and environmental effects. Publicly releasing this data also supports the Agency’s commitment to transparency and data integrity. EPA collects this information every four years, which assures that EPA and the public have access to up-to-date information on chemicals.
EPA’s new resource portal, called CDR GuideME, is part of EPA’s effort to develop a user-friendly, single location for all CDR guidance documents and other training materials, including the reporting instructions, fact sheets, and selected EPA responses to industry inquiries. CDR GuideME users can also search across all CDR questions and answers to quickly find topics of interest
The CDR rule requires all companies to report data electronically using e-CDRweb through EPA's Central Data Exchange (CDX) system. EPA has updated the CDX tool by:
- Incorporating 2024 CDR reporting codes that can be used and the years covered by the reporting period;
- Providing an updated spreadsheet for uploading chemical information in bulk (available in the resources section of the reporting tool); and
- Improving the functionality to copy substantiations of Confidential Business Information claims between chemicals and for accessing and saving a copy of submitted records.
The CDR website has updated guidance on submitting information to the CDR database, as well as information about prior CDR reporting cycles. You must register with CDX and be approved by EPA before you can begin submitting forms.