Risk Management Program (RMP) Rule Overview

Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act Amendments requires EPA to publish regulations and guidance for chemical accident prevention at facilities that use certain hazardous substances. These regulations and guidance are contained in the Risk Management Program (RMP) rule.  The RMP rule requires facilities that use extremely hazardous substances to develop a Risk Management Plan which:

• identifies the potential effects of a chemical accident,
• identifies steps the facility is taking to prevent an accident, and
• spells out emergency response procedures should an accident occur.

These plans provide valuable information to local fire, police, and emergency response personnel to prepare for and respond to chemical emergencies in their community. Making RMPs available to the public also fosters communication and awareness to improve accident prevention and emergency response practices at the local level. 

The RMP rule was built upon existing industry codes and standards. It requires facilities that use listed regulated Toxic or Flammable Substances for Accidental Release Prevention to develop an RMP and submit that plan to EPA.

Who must submit an RMP?

Facilities holding more than a threshold quantity of a regulated substance in a process are required to comply with EPA’s RMP regulations. The regulations require owners or operators of covered facilities to implement a risk management program and to submit an RMP to EPA. See: General Risk Management Program Guidance.

What information must an RMP include?

Each facility's program should address three areas:

• Hazard assessment that details the potential effects of an accidental release, an accident history of the last five years, and an evaluation of worst-case and alternative accidental releases;
• Prevention program that includes safety precautions and maintenance, monitoring, and employee training measures; and
• Emergency response program that spells out emergency health care, employee training measures and procedures for informing the public and response agencies (e.g the fire department) should an accident occur.

How often must facilities submit an RMP?

The plans are revised and resubmitted to EPA every five years.

What chemicals must be reported under RMP?

The rule includes a List of Regulated Substances under section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act, including their synonyms and threshold quantities (in pounds) to help assess if a process is subject to the RMP rule. These regulated substances are also subject to the requirements of the general duty clause. Where the Clean Air Act Section 112(r) program has been delegated to a state, that state may have additional requirements for the federally listed chemicals, and/or additional listed chemicals.

• Full text of the Chemical Accident Prevention Provisions is available through the U.S. Government Printing Office
• Related Federal Register Notices

Related Federal Register Notices

• April 9, 2004: Accidental Release Prevention Requirements: Risk Management Program Requirements Under Clean Air Act Section 112(r)(7); Amendments to the Submission Schedule and Data Requirements; Final Rule. 69 FR 18819 (PDF)(14 pp, 104K)
• August 4, 2000: Accidental Release Prevention Requirements; Risk Management Programs Under the Clean Air Act Section 112(r)(7); Distribution of Off-Site Consequence Analysis Information; Final Rule. 65 FR 48108 (PDF)(27 pp, 310 K)
• March 13, 2000: Amendments to the List of Regulated Substances and Thresholds for Accidental Release Prevention; Flammable Substances Used as Fuel or Held for Sale as Fuel at Retail Facilities; Final Rule. 65 FR 13243 (PDF)(2 pp, 121 K)
• February 22, 2000: Delegation of Authority to Conduct Assessments and Promulgate Regulations On Public Access to Off-Site Consequence Analysis Information (January 27, 2000 Memorandum). 65 FR 8631 (PDF)(1 pp, 131 K)
• January 6, 1999: Accidental Release Prevention Requirements; Risk Management Programs Under Clean Air Act Section 112(r)(7); Amendments; Final Rule. 64 FR 963 (PDF) (18 pp, 124 K)
• January 6, 1998: List of Regulated Substances and Thresholds for Accidental Release Prevention; Final Rule. 63 FR 639 (PDF)(7 pp, 47 K)
• August 25, 1997: List of Regulated Substances and Thresholds for Accidental Release Prevention; Final Rule. 62 FR 45129 (PDF) (4 pp, 27 K)
• August 25, 1997: Accidental Release Prevention Requirements; Interpretations; Final Rule. 62 FR 45133 (PDF)(4 pp, 27 K)
• June 20, 1996: Accidental Release Prevention Requirements: Risk Management Programs Under the Clean Air Act, Section 112(r)(7); List of Regulated Substances and Thresholds for Accidental Release Prevention, Stay of Effectiveness; and Accidental Release Prevention Requirements: Risk Management Programs Under Section 112(r)(7) of the Clean Air Act as Amended, Guidelines; Final Rules and Notice. 61 FR 31667 (PDF) (64 pp, 417 K)