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Cross-Media Electronic Reporting Rule
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Lesson 3: Application Requirements

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This lesson is for states (for the purposes of CROMERR) Includes the District of Columbia and the United States Territories, as specified in the applicable statutes. that plan to submit CROMERR applications to EPA to modify or revise their authorized programs to incorporate electronic reporting. This lesson includes details about the application as well as instructions for submission. The result of EPA approval is to modify or revise those programs.

This lesson covers:

  • Required elements of a CROMERR application
  • Typical application components used to meet the requirements
  • Submitting the application

These topics are covered from the perspective of states using the CROMERR Part 3 Application Process. States may apply for their program revisions or modifications using processes provided under other parts of Title 40, but their applications must still include the same required elements described in this lesson.

Using processes provided under other parts of 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.

There are two ways to submit a CROMERR application. This lesson is focused on the special 40 CFR Part 3 Application Process, but applications may also be submitted under other parts of Title 40. Applications submitted to EPA Program or Regional Offices under other parts of Title 40 must:
  • Use applicable program approval or revision processes under other Parts of Title 40;
  • Meet the application requirements under 3.1000; and
  • Demonstrate conformance with 3.2000 requirements.
Regardless of the process used, the required application elements are the same. However, non-Part 3 applications can only address a single program.
What exactly are you submitting the application for?

The application submitted to EPA is for approval of modifications or revisions to allow electronic reporting for one or more of the EPA-authorized programs implemented by your state. That is, you are seeking EPA approval to allow you to accept electronic 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 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.) for submissions made by facilities regulated under your states authorized programs.

What is required for application approval?

For EPA to approve the program modifications, your state attorney general, or AG, must be able to certify that the state can continue to enforce these authorized programs based on electronic submissions. In addition, the system used to receive the electronic submissions must meet the standards spelled out in Section 3.2000 of CROMERR. These standards are discussed in detail in Lessons 5, 6, and 7 of this course.

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  • CROMERR Home
  • Learn about the Cross-Media Electronic Reporting Rule (CROMERR)
  • CROMERR 101 Training
    • Lesson 1: Overview of the Final Rule
    • Lesson 2: Quick Tour of the Final Rule
    • 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 5: CROMERR-Compliant Electronic Reporting
    • Lesson 6: Using the Checklist to Work through System Requirements
    • Lesson 7: From Requirements to Solutions
    • Lesson 8: Four Critical Checklist Items
  • Overview for CROMERR
  • Program Announcements & Initiatives
  • Status of CROMERR Applications from States
  • CROMERR Federal Register Notices
  • Application Tools & Templates
  • Sample Applications & Checklists
  • Glossary
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Help Desk
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on December 9, 2022
United States Environmental Protection Agency

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