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  1. Home
  2. Cross-Media Electronic Reporting Rule
  3. CROMERR 101 Training
  4. Lesson 1: Overview of the Final Rule

Lesson 1: Who is Affected?

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The final rule applies to two groups:

Regulated Entities

CROMERR applies to persons or entities that submit electronic reports or documents in lieu of paper When an electronic report takes the place of a paper report submitted to satisfy the requirements under another part of 40 CFR. In some , the electronic reporting is done to make data collection and management easier, but the state requires that each report submitted electronically also be submitted as a signed paper copy. In this case, the electronic submission would not be in lieu of paper and CROMERR does not apply to the state. Some electronic reporting systems use a combined approach, where part or all of the data are submitted only electronically, but a wet ink signature on paper is also required. In these cases, the e-report (or at least the portions of it that are not also submitted on paper) is considered to be submitted "in lieu of paper" and CROMERR applies. In addition, there are special CROMERR rules under 40 CFR 3.2000(a) that govern the use of a wet ink signature on paper in conjunction with an e-report. (Additional detail on this combined approach is provided in Lesson 6.), to EPA under Title 40 The 40th section of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), which deals with EPA's mission to protect human health and the environment. The CFR is the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the Federal Government. when they are the regulated entity.

Example of a regulated entity

Entities Acting as a Regulator for an EPA Program

States (for the purposes of CROMERR) Includes the District of Columbia and the United States Territories, as specified in the applicable statutes., tribes, or local governments that administer authorized programs under Title 40 that receive or wish to receive electronic reports or documents in lieu of paper.

Example of an entity acting as a regulator for an EPA program

In Lieu of Paper

An electronic report is considered to be submitted in lieu of paper when it takes the place of a paper report submitted to satisfy the requirements under another part of 40 CFR.

In some states, the electronic reporting is done to make data collection and management easier, but the state requires that each report submitted electronically also be submitted as a signed paper copy. In this case, the electronic submission would not be in lieu of paper and CROMERR does not apply to the state.

Some electronic reporting systems use a combined approach, where part or all of the data are submitted only electronically, but a wet ink signature on paper is also required. In these cases, the e-report (or at least the portions of it that are not also submitted on paper) is considered to be submitted in lieu of paper and CROMERR applies.

In addition, there are special CROMERR rules under 40 CFR 3.2000(a) that govern the use of a wet ink signature on paper in conjunction with an e-report. (Additional detail on this combined approach is provided in Lesson 6.)

Regulated Entity Example

For example, 40 CFR 51.211 requires that operators of stationary sources of air emissions, such as power plants, must periodically report those emissions. If a regulated entity submits this report electronically directly to EPA, it is subject to CROMERR.

Entity Acting as a Regulator Example

The Clean Water Act (CWA) Program is an example of how states, tribes, or local governments can act as a regulator for an EPA program. The CWA gives EPA the authority to set effluent limits on an industry-wide (technology-based) basis and on a water-quality basis. These limits will ensure protection of the receiving water. The CWA requires anyone who wants to discharge pollutants to first obtain a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.

The CWA allows EPA to authorize the NPDES Permit Program to state governments, enabling states to perform many of the permitting, administrative, and enforcement aspects of the NPDES Program.

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Cross-Media Electronic Reporting Rule

  • Learn about the Cross-Media Electronic Reporting Rule (CROMERR)
  • CROMERR 101 Training
    • Lesson 1: Overview of the Final Rule
      • Lesson 1: What Does the Rule Do?
      • Lesson 1: What Does the Rule NOT Do?
      • Lesson 1: Who is Affected?
      • Lesson 1: When Does the Rule NOT Apply?
      • Lesson 1: End of Lesson
    • Lesson 2: Quick Tour of the Final Rule
      • Lesson 2: End of Lesson
    • Lesson 3: Application Requirements
      • Lesson 3: Required Elements of a CROMERR Application
      • Lesson 3: Typical Application Components
      • Lesson 3: Cover Sheet
      • Lesson 3: Attorney General (AG) Certification
      • Lesson 3: System Description(s)
      • Lesson 3: Submitting the Application
      • Lesson 3: End of Lesson
    • Lesson 4: The EPA Review and Approval Process under Part 3
      • Lesson 4: Technical Review Committee (TRC)
      • Lesson 4: End of Lesson
    • Lesson 5: CROMERR-Compliant Electronic Reporting
      • Lesson 5: Overview of CROMERR Requirements for Electronic Reporting
      • Lesson 5: Requirements for Authorized Program e-Reporting
      • Lesson 5: Standards for an Acceptable Electronic Document Receiving System
      • Lesson 5: Defining "Valid Electronic Signatures"
      • Lesson 5: System Requirements for Receiving e-Signatures
      • Lesson 5: Priority vs. Non-Priority Reports
      • Lesson 5: Title: Enforceability Provisions
      • Lesson 5: Title: End of Lesson
    • Lesson 6: Using the Checklist to Work through System Requirements
      • Lesson 6: Registration
      • Lesson 6: Signature Process
      • Lesson 6: Submission Process
      • Lesson 6: Signature Validation
      • Lesson 6: Copy of Record (COR)
      • Lesson 6: The CROMERR Requirements and the Checklist Items
      • Lesson 6: End of Lesson
    • Lesson 7: From Requirements to Solutions
      • Lesson 7: From Requirements to Specific Solutions
      • Lesson 7: From Requirements to Specific Solutions Two Key Decisions
      • Lesson 7: Key Decision 1 - Type of Credential Used
      • Lesson 7: Key Decision 1 - Type of Credential Used (continued)
      • Lesson 7: Key Decision 2 - Defining the Copy of Record (COR)
      • Lesson 7: From Key Decisions to CROMERR-Compliant Solutions
      • Lesson 7: End of Lesson
    • Lesson 8: Four Critical Checklist Items
      • Lesson 8: CROMERR System Checklist Items
      • Lesson 8: Additional Sample Solutions
      • Lesson 8: End of Lesson
  • Overview for CROMERR
  • Program Announcements & Initiatives
  • Approved CROMERR Applications
  • CROMERR Federal Register Notices
  • Application Tools & Templates
  • Sample Applications & Checklists
  • Glossary
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Help Desk
Contact Us about Cross-Media Electronic Reporting Rule
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on November 13, 2024
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