Basic Information about Chemical Data Reporting

• What is CDR?
• How are CDR data used?
• How can you access CDR data?
• Who must report?
• When does reporting occur?
• How can you impact the CDR collection?

What is CDR?

Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) tracks the production and use of certain chemicals listed on the Toxic Substances Control Act Inventory. Every four years, manufacturers (including importers) must report information about how much of each chemical they produce or import, certain characteristics of each chemical (e.g., the maximum concentration or physical form), and how the chemical is processed or used after it is manufactured. The CDR rule is authorized under TSCA section 8(a). The rule was formerly known as the Inventory Update Reporting (IUR) rule.

The primary purpose for collecting the CDR data is for use by EPA’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT). Other EPA offices, other government agencies, companies, non-governmental organizations, researchers, and others also use CDR data. 

Read about the TSCA Inventory.

Browse CDR requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations.

Read the instructions for reporting under CDR.

How Are CDR Data Used?

The CDR database is the most comprehensive source of basic screening-level, exposure-related chemical information available to EPA. The data help EPA understand the types of and amounts of chemicals in commerce, and the possible human exposures related to their manufacturing and processing. 

CDR data are essential to EPA’s work prioritizing chemicals for review and conducting risk screening, assessment, evaluation, and management activities.  Learn how EPA evaluates the safety of existing chemicals.

Researchers, companies, non-government organizations, and government organizations use the public version of the CDR data.

How Can You Access CDR Data?

EPA makes non-confidential CDR data available for public use. You can download the public data or search the data online in EPA's ChemView tool. 

Who Must Report Under the CDR Rule?

Manufacturers (including importers) are required to report based on the production volume of a chemical substance listed on the TSCA inventory at any single site in a year. Under CDR, the term “site” refers to the location that physically manufactures the reportable chemical within the United States and/or is directly responsible for importing the chemical into the United States. The 5,000-6,000 reporting sites are scattered across the country. For more information on the latest trends in reporting, read the CDR National Review.

Manufacturers (including importers) must report if the annual reporting threshold at a site is reached during any of the calendar years since the last principal reporting year. The principal reporting year is the most recent year in a reporting period. 

• The annual reporting threshold is 25,000 pounds for most chemicals.
• For chemicals that are the subject of certain TSCA actions, the threshold is 2,500 pounds. Find out how to identify if your chemical substance is one of these.
• The production volume is the sum of the volume of the chemical manufactured in the United States plus the volume imported into the United States for a particular year.  The production volume is specific to each site, not each company.

A substance may be in commerce in the United States and not reported under CDR because it:

• Is not on the TSCA Inventory.
• Is not covered by the definition of chemical substance under TSCA (e.g., because it is manufactured solely for use as a pesticide or for a use covered by the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act). 
• Is manufactured only by a small manufacturer as defined by CDR.  
• Is exempted from reporting (e.g., most polymers, microorganisms, naturally occurring substances, water, certain forms of natural gas).

When Does Reporting Occur?

Reporting has occurred approximately every four years beginning in 1986. The most recent submission period was in 2024, when manufacturers reported for chemicals manufactured (including imported) during the years 2020 to 2023.

The next CDR reporting occurs in 2028, when manufacturers (including importers) will determine their need to report based on production volumes from 2024 to 2027. The submission period is scheduled for June 1, 2028, to September 30, 2028.

How Can You Impact the CDR Collection?

EPA is always interested in suggestions for improving CDR, including both the industry reporting and data user experiences. You can submit recommendations or other comments on any CDR materials, including reporting requirements and reporting guidance. Additionally, you can use the relevant petition processes to seek changes to certain chemical and activity lists for which exemptions from reporting apply.

You can send comments by sending an email to eCDRweb@epa.gov or by following the directions on the Contact Us page.