July 2010 Overview of TSCA IUR 

 

Overview of Proposed TSCA Inventory Update Reporting (2011) 

Information on chemicals manufactured or imported into the United States and listed on the 

TSCA Chemical Substances Inventory is collected periodically by the EPA. This collection began 

in 1986 with the promulgation of the Inventory Update Reporting (IUR) regulation. In 2003 and 

again in 2010, EPA amended (expects to amend) the IUR requirements to ensure that the data 

collected more closely match EPA’s information needs. 

By law, companies that manufacture or import chemicals are required to report information about 

these chemicals – the types of chemicals, the amounts manufactured or imported, certain details 

about their manufacture, and other data. The IUR regulations are in 40 CFR 711. 

Reported information can be claimed confidential, therefore limited information is made public.

What companies are 

subject to reporting? 

Manufacturers, including importers, of subject chemicals are required 

to report for IUR. Small manufacturers, as defined by 40 CFR 704.3, 

are exempted from reporting. 

When is reporting 

required? 

Reporting is required every four years and must be done using the eIUR reporting software. The 2011 submission period, during which 

2010 manufacturing, processing and use and 2006-2009 production 

volume information will be reported electronically (through the 

Internet), will occur from June 1 to September 30, 2011. 

What chemicals are 

subject to reporting? 

Chemicals that are listed on the TSCA Inventory and are 

manufactured, including imported, in volumes of 25,000 pounds or 

more at a single site are subject to IUR. Need to report is based on 

the annual production volume for each year since the last IUR 

reporting year, i.e., 2005 (would be effective after the 2011 IUR 

submission period). Typically information is collected on about 7,000 

to 9,000 chemicals. 

Are any chemicals 

exempt? 

Certain chemicals – naturally occurring substances, microorganisms, 

polymers, certain forms of natural gas, and water – are exempt unless 

they are subject to another TSCA rule. In addition, certain chemicals 

are partially exempt, and manufacturers of such chemicals are only 

required to report identification and manufacturing information for 

those chemicals. The partially exempt chemicals are listed in the IUR 

regulations at 40 CFR 711.6(b). 

What information is 

reported? 

(see next page for 

detailed information) 

Manufacturers, including importers, report basic company and site 

identity information, chemical identity, and manufacturing related data 

such as production volume, number of workers reasonably likely to be 

exposed, physical form of the chemical, and other information. In 

addition, they report exposure-related information associated with the 

processing and use of their chemicals. 

Where can I get 

more information? 

The IUR website, www.epa.gov/iur, contains a variety of information 

and includes guidance documents and training presentations used for 

the 2006 IUR. This information and the e-IURweb reporting software 

will be updated for the 2011 IUR. 

1 Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
July 2010 Overview of TSCA IUR 

 

Data Elements Reported 

Certification 

(for each site) 

Signature and date signed 

Name, official title, and email address 

Site Identification 

Information 

(for each site) 

Company identification – parent company name, D&B, and address 

Site identification* – site name, D&B, and address 

Technical contact – name, phone, email, and address 

Manufacturing 

Information 

(for each chemical) 

Chemical name* (select from Substance Registry Services) 

Chemical identifying number* (select from Substance Registry 

 Services) 

CBI status for company, site, or tech contact information 

For 2010 PV: 

- Manufacture or Import? (M/I/B) 

- Production volume – domestically manufactured 

- Production volume – imported 

- Chemical never physically at site? (Y/N) 

- Volume used on site 

- Volume exported 

- Is chemical to be recycled, remanufactured, reprocessed, reused, 

or reworked? (Y/N) 

- Number of workers (choose from list, in ranges) 

- Maximum concentration (choose from list, in ranges) 

- Physical form (choose from list) and associated percent of 

production volume 

 For 2006 – 2009 PV: 

- Total annual production volume for each calendar year 

Industrial Processing 

and Use Information 

(for each chemical)* 

 Top 10 unique combinations of 

- Type of process or use (choose from list) 

- Sector code (choose from list) 

- Industrial function category (choose from list) 

 For each unique combination of the above, report: 

- Percent production volume 

- Number of sites (choose from list, in ranges) 

- Number of workers (choose from list, in ranges) 

Commercial and 

Consumer Use 

Information 

(for each chemical)* 

Commercial and consumer product category (choose from list) 

Commercial or consumer? (Com/Con/B/NRA) 

Used in products intended for children? (Y/N/NRA) 

Percent production volume (for each category) 

Maximum concentration (for each category) 

Number of commercial workers (choose from list, in ranges) 

2 Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
July 2010 Overview of TSCA IUR 

 

Other Reporting Information 

Confidentiality 

Claims 

 Data elements marked with an * require upfront substantiation. 

Involves free-text answers to questions. 

No reporting required 

(fully exempt) for: 

 Polymers, including salts of polymers 

 Certain forms of natural gas (listed substances) and water 

 Microorganisms 

 Naturally occurring chemical substances 

Partial reporting 

required (partially 

exempt) for: 

 Multi-component petroleum process streams (listed substances) 

 Specific chemical substances for which the IUR processing and use 

information is of low current interest (listed substances) 

Small manufacturers 

are fully exempt 

when: 

 Total annual sales < $4 million (company wide) OR 

 Total annual sales < $40 million (company wide) and production 

volume < 100,000 lbs (for a chemical substance at a single plant 

site). NOTE: Small manufacturers are still required to report on 

substances subject to a rule proposed or promulgated under certain 

sections of TSCA (40 CFR 711.6).

Inventory Update Reporting Ranges and Categories

Ranges for Reporting Number of Workers 

Reasonably Likely To Be Exposed 

Fewer than 10 workers 

At least 10 but fewer than 25 workers 

At least 25 but fewer than 50 workers 

At least 50 but fewer than100 workers 

At least 100 but fewer than 500 workers 

At least 500 but fewer than 1,000 workers 

At least 1,000 but fewer than 10,000 workers 

At least 10,000 workers

Ranges for Reporting Maximum 

Concentration of Chemical Substance 

Less than 1% by weight 

At least 1 but less than 30% by weight 

At least 30 but less than 60% by weight 

At least 60 but less than 90% by weight 

At least 90% by weight 

Physical Forms 

Dry powder 

Pellets or large crystals 

Water- or solvent-wet solid 

Other solid 

Gas or vapor 

Liquid 

Industrial Processing or Use Categories 

Processing as a reactant 

Processing – incorporation into formulation, 

mixture or reaction product 

Processing – incorporation into article 

Processing – repackaging 

Use - non-incorporative activities

Numbers of Sites 

Less than 10 sites 

At least 10 but fewer than 25 sites 

At least 25 but fewer than 100 sites 

At least 100 but fewer than 250 sites

At least 250 but fewer than 1,000 sites 

At least 1,000 but fewer than 10,000 sites 

At least 10,000 sites

3 Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
July 2010 Overview of TSCA IUR 

 

Industrial Function Categories 

Abrasives 

Adhesives and sealant chemicals 

Adsorbents and absorbents 

Agricultural chemicals (nonpesticidal) 

Anti-adhesive agents 

Bleaching agents 

Corrosion inhibitors and antiscaling agents 

Dyes 

Fillers 

Finishing agents 

Flame retardants 

Fuels and fuel additives 

Functional fluids (closed systems) 

Functional fluids (open systems) 

Intermediates 

Ion exchange agents 

Lubricants and lubricant additives 

Odor agents 

Oxidizing/reducing agents 

Photosensitive chemicals 

Pigments 

Plasticizers 

Plating agents and surface 

treating agents 

Process regulators 

Processing aids, not otherwise listed 

Processing aids, specific to 

petroleum production 

Propellants and blowing agents 

Solids separation agents 

Solvents (for cleaning and 

degreasing) 

Solvents (which become part of 

product formulation or mixture) 

Surface active agents 

Viscosity adjustors 

Laboratory chemicals 

Paint additives and coating additives 

not described by other categories 

Other (specify) 

Industrial Sector Codes 

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting 

Oil and Gas Drilling, Extraction, and support activities 

 Mining (except Oil and Gas) and support activities 

Utilities 

Construction 

Food, beverage, and tobacco product manufacturing 

Textiles, apparel, and leather manufacturing 

Wood Product Manufacturing 

Paper Manufacturing 

Printing and Related Support Activities 

Petroleum Refineries 

Asphalt Paving, Roofing, and Coating Materials 

Manufacturing 

Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing 

All other Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing 

Petrochemical Manufacturing 

 Industrial Gas Manufacturing 

Synthetic Dye and Pigment Manufacturing 

Carbon Black Manufacturing 

All Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing 

Cyclic Crude and Intermediate Manufacturing 

All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing 

Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing 

Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing 

Organic Fiber Manufacturing 

Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other Agricultural Chemical 

Manufacturing 

Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing 

Paint and Coating Manufacturing 

Adhesive Manufacturing 

Soap, Cleaning Compound, and Toilet Preparation 

Manufacturing 

Printing Ink Manufacturing 

Explosives Manufacturing 

Custom Compounding of Purchased Resins 

Photographic Film, Paper, Plate, and Chemical 

Manufacturing 

All Other Chemical Product and Preparation 

Manufacturing 

Plastics Product Manufacturing 

Rubber Product Manufacturing 

Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing (includes 

clay, glass, cement, concrete, lime, gypsum, and 

other nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing) 

Primary Metal Manufacturing 

Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing 

 Machinery Manufacturing 

Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing 

Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component 

Manufacturing 

Transportation Equipment Manufacturing 

Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing 

 Miscellaneous Manufacturing 

Wholesale and Retail Trade 

Services 

Other (requires additional information) 

4 Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
July 2010 Overview of TSCA IUR 

 

Commercial and Consumer Product Categories 

Chemical Substances in Furnishing, Cleaning, 

Treatment/Care Products 

Floor Coverings 

Foam Seating and Bedding Products 

Furniture and Furnishings not covered elsewhere 

Fabric, Textile, and Leather Products not covered 

 elsewhere 

Cleaning and Furnishing Care Products 

Laundry and Dishwashing Products 

Water Treatment Products 

Personal Care Products 

Air Care Products 

Apparel and Footwear Care Products 

Chemical Substances in Construction, Paint, 

Electrical, and Metal Products 

Adhesives and Sealants

Paints and Coatings

Building/Construction Materials - Wood and

 Engineered Wood Products

Building/Construction Materials not covered

 elsewhere

Electrical and Electronic Products

Metal Products not covered elsewhere

Batteries

Chemical Substances in Packaging, Paper, 

Plastic, Hobby Products 

Food Packaging 

Paper Products 

Plastic and Rubber Products not covered elsewhere 

Toys, Playground, and Sporting Equipment 

Arts, Crafts, and Hobby Materials 

Ink, Toner, and Colorant Products 

Photographic Supplies, Film, and Photochemicals 

Chemical Substances in Automotive, Fuel, 

Agriculture, Outdoor Use Products 

Automotive Care Products 

Lubricants and Greases 

Anti-Freeze and De-icing Products 

Fuels and Related Products 

Explosive Materials 

Agricultural Products (non-pesticidal) 

Lawn and Garden Care Products 

Chemical Substances in Products not 

Described by Other Codes 

Non-TSCA Use 

Other (specify)

5 Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency