Section 311: Hazardous chemicals are defined under the Occupational Safety and Health Act and its implementing regulations. SDSs (or MSDSs) describe the properties and health effects of these chemicals. An update is required for new chemicals or new information about chemicals already submitted to the AERC, LEPC and the fire department with jurisdiction over the facility. New facilities have three months after becoming subject to the OSHA regulations to submit their documents to all three entities listed above. Facilities must also submit an inventory form (See Tier II Form/Section 312 for more information) for these chemicals.
For the AERC, e-mail all SDS or hazardous chemicals list as a .pdf to al312@adem.alabama.gov.
If you choose to provide a list, the list must denote the hazard categories consistent with the Global Harmonization System Standards. For your convenience, we have created a Section 311 form (ADEM Form 407) that can be used when providing a list of chemicals rather than the SDS.
Include: facility name, year, and “Section 311” in the subject line. In the body of the e-mail, be sure to include your Master ID and the location information for each facility. If you are submitting this documentation for multiple facilities in one e-mail, be sure to include the Master ID and location information for each of the facilities.
Hazardous Chemical Inventory (Tier II) Reporting Requirements
Requires yearly chemical inventory filing to the AERC, LEPC, and fire department
Section 312: On 11/1/2017 the AERC (formerly known as SERC) met for their bi-annual meeting and voted in favor of requiring all facilities to submit EPCRA documents to the AERC in a digital format. A .t2s file from Tier2Submit or E-plan will be the only two options for electronic filing for Tier II in Alabama.
- The AERC - Electronic submission to ADEM of the Tier II report using E-Plan or Tier2Submit will fulfill this requirement.
- The Local Emergency Planning Committee where facility is located. Contact the appropriate county EMA to verify what format they require.
- The local fire department where the facility is located. Contact the appropriate fire department to verify what format they require.
The Alabama Emergency Response Commision requires all facilities operating in Alabama to electronically file their Tier II reports using either E-Plan or Tier2Submit.
- Facility Master ID
ADEM uses an internal identification number known as the Master ID to track facilities, issue various permits to the facility location and to track data related to those facilities. By requiring a Master ID to be associated with your form submission it will allow ADEM and First Responders to optimize data tracking and retrieving.
Whether you plan to submit via E-Plan or Tier2Submit, you will be asked to input a Master ID Number in the State Required Field. If your facility has or ever had a permit issued by ADEM, use eFile on the ADEM’s website to determine your Master ID. ADEM has diligently worked to issue a master ID to all facilities who have previously filed their Tier II information. This Master ID Number is location specific. If you are unsure if you have an existing Master ID Number or have not filed previously, please contact Beth Donaldson at 334-260-2700 or beth.donaldson@adem.alabama.gov to obtain your number Master ID number. This number will remain the same year-to-year. - Email Address
A valid e-mail address must be submitted to provide a point of contact for all AERC communication. If filing via Tier2Submit, an e-mail with proof of receipt will be sent from the AERC. E-plan user’s payment confirmation page acts as their proof of receipt. Federal Regulations require the facilities to maintain proof of receipt on-site from all three required entities: AERC, LEPC, and local Fire Department.
E-Plan
Alabama now accepts submittals via E-Plan at https://tier2.erplan.net/onlinefiling/filingLogin.htm. There is a fee associated with this service. Submitted information is retained from year to year in one database and changes are easily made by logging in. If you have previously submitted Tier II data to ADEM by e-mail, your facility information should already be in E-Plan. However, you still must obtain your company’s E-plan Access ID in order to log in. Do not register a new account with E-plan unless you have never filed, or filed Tier II forms prior to 2016.
*Please note that your State Required Master ID and your E-Plan Access ID are two different numbers. Both numbers remain the same each year.
E-plan Facility Log in Screen:
Contact E-Plan:https://erplan.net/eplan/support/contactUs.htm with questions.
After successful submission, print and sign a copy of the confirmation/receipt page generated by E-Plan and attach it to a hard copy of the facility Tier II report. These documents must be retained on-site as verification of facility compliance. Please do not submit additional electronic and or paper copies of the forms to ADEM. Your confirmation of payment sufficed as your proof of receipt for the AERC.Filing Option 2: Tier2Submit
Tier2Submit can be used to submit data electronically with no cost. A new version of Tier2 Submit is available around November or December of each year. The Tier II File must pass validation and the file exported must be in a .t2s format. Verify that the download screen you are looking at matches the filing year you are submitting Tier IIs for. Click the Tier2 Submit link above and download the program for your operating system. An execution file will pop up. Click "run" and follow the prompts.
Tier2Submit Welcome Screen: Click "Start Tier2Submit" to begin.
*Note the icon looks different than in previous years.*
After you click start, you can click on “Import” to import a .t2s file from last year. Do not upload a file older than 2018 or you may experience issues. Make sure you verify that all location, contact, and chemical information has been updated and is accurate. Follow all prompts or validation messages.
After passing validation, send the exported .t2s file to al312@adem.alabama.gov with following information in the subject line: facility name, the filing year, and facility Master ID Number.
Verification of a successful submission will be sent by e-mail. Print and sign a copy of the receipt e-mail and attach it to a hard copy of the facility Tier II report. These documents must be retained on-site as verification of facility compliance. Please do not submit additional paper copies of the forms to ADEM. If you have questions about your submission please contact Beth Donaldson.