EPA RMP Software
Manage EPA Risk Management Program compliance with one integrated platform. From process hazard analyses and incident investigations to management of change, audits, training, and emergency response — Ecesis provides the tools you need for RMP Programs 1, 2, and 3.
What Is EPA RMP?
The EPA Risk Management Program (RMP), established under Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act and codified at 40 CFR Part 68, requires facilities that use, store, manufacture, or handle any of approximately 140 listed toxic and flammable substances above threshold quantities to develop and implement a risk management program. Facilities must submit a Risk Management Plan to the EPA documenting their hazard assessments, accident prevention programs, and emergency response procedures. Plans are resubmitted every five years via the EPA's RMP*eSubmit platform.
RMP applies to an estimated 12,000 facilities across the United States, spanning chemical manufacturing, petroleum refining, water treatment, food processing, agriculture, utilities, and many other industries. EPA has designated chemical accident risk reduction as a National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative for fiscal years 2024–2027, making RMP compliance a priority enforcement area.
RMP vs. PSM: Two Regulations, One Platform
RMP and OSHA PSM are companion regulations with significant overlap in their prevention program requirements. The key difference is their focus:
| EPA RMP (40 CFR 68) | OSHA PSM (29 CFR 1910.119) | |
|---|---|---|
| Administering Agency | EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) | OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) |
| Primary Focus | Protecting surrounding communities and the environment from accidental chemical releases | Protecting workers inside the facility from catastrophic releases of highly hazardous chemicals |
| Regulatory Authority | Clean Air Act, Section 112(r) | OSH Act, Section 6 |
| Covered Substances | ~140 listed toxic and flammable substances with individual threshold quantities | ~130 highly hazardous chemicals + flammables above 10,000 lbs |
| Plan Submission | Required — RMP must be submitted to EPA every 5 years via RMP*eSubmit | Not required — PSM documentation must be maintained on-site but is not submitted to OSHA |
| Hazard Assessment | Required — worst-case and alternative release scenarios with offsite consequence analysis | Not required |
| Emergency Response | Required — coordination with local emergency responders, community notification | Required — but focused on on-site emergency planning |
| Public Information | Required — chemical hazard information must be made available to the public upon request | Not required |
RMP Program Levels
RMP classifies covered processes into three program levels with progressively more rigorous requirements:
| Level | Applicability | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Program 1 | Processes with no public receptors within the worst-case release distance and no accidents with offsite consequences in the past 5 years | Hazard assessment (worst-case analysis), 5-year accident history, emergency response coordination, RMP submission |
| Program 2 | Processes not eligible for Program 1 and not subject to OSHA PSM or specific NAICS codes | All Program 1 requirements plus: safety information documentation, hazard review, operating procedures, training, maintenance, compliance audits, incident investigation |
| Program 3 | Processes subject to OSHA PSM or in NAICS codes 32211, 32411, 32511, 325181, 325188, 325192, 325199, 325211, 325311, or 32532 | All Program 2 requirements with enhanced rigor matching PSM: process hazard analysis, management of change, pre-startup review, mechanical integrity, hot work permits, contractor management, employee participation, trade secrets |
Industries Subject to EPA RMP
Chemical Manufacturing
Production, blending, and storage of toxic and flammable chemicals above threshold quantities
Petroleum Refining
Refineries handling flammable hydrocarbons, HF alkylation, and process chemicals
Water & Wastewater Treatment
Facilities using chlorine, sulfur dioxide, or ammonia for disinfection and treatment
Food & Cold Storage
Ammonia refrigeration systems in food processing, distribution, and cold storage facilities
Oil & Gas
Gas processing plants, terminals, and facilities handling flammable substances
Agriculture & Fertilizer
Anhydrous ammonia storage and distribution for agricultural applications
Pulp & Paper
Chlorine dioxide and sulfur dioxide systems used in bleaching and treatment processes
Utilities & Power
Power generation and distribution facilities with regulated substances
Government & Military
Federal, state, and municipal facilities with water treatment or chemical storage
Regulatory Landscape: What's Changing
The RMP rule has undergone significant regulatory changes across multiple administrations. Understanding the current landscape helps facilities plan their compliance strategies:
2024 Safer Communities Rule
In February 2024, the EPA finalized the Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention (SCCAP) rule, which introduced substantial new requirements including safer technology and alternatives analysis (STAA) for certain facilities, mandatory root cause analysis for incident investigations, third-party compliance audits for facilities with accident history, enhanced community notification and information availability, natural hazard and facility siting requirements, and emergency response exercise enhancements. The rule became effective May 10, 2024, with most compliance dates in 2027–2028.
2025–2026: Reconsideration and Proposed Revisions
In March 2025, the EPA announced it would reconsider the 2024 SCCAP rule. In February 2026, the EPA signed a proposed rule (Common Sense Approach to Chemical Accident Prevention) that would amend several provisions of the 2024 rule, including changes to STAA requirements, third-party audits, information availability, employee participation, community notification, and facility siting provisions. The EPA has indicated it expects to finalize the new rule in late 2026. The 2024 rule's compliance dates remain in effect until a final revised rule is issued.
RMP Compliance Elements Supported by Ecesis
Ecesis provides integrated software modules that address the core elements of RMP Programs 2 and 3. Because RMP prevention program elements closely mirror OSHA PSM, facilities subject to both regulations manage compliance through a single platform.
Additional Platform Capabilities
Mobile App
Complete inspections, audits, observations, and incident reports from the field on iOS and Android.
Hazard Analysis
JHAs, JSAs, PPE assessments, and pre-task plans for process and maintenance activities.
Compliance Obligations
Track RMP, PSM, EPA, OSHA, and state regulatory requirements and deadlines.
Safety Management
Comprehensive safety management including behavior observations, safety meetings, and KPI tracking.
Air Quality Management
Track air emissions, permits, and Clean Air Act compliance alongside RMP.
Dashboards & Analytics
Real-time KPIs, compliance status, incident trends, and audit results at a glance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is EPA RMP?
The EPA Risk Management Program (RMP), codified at 40 CFR Part 68, requires facilities that use, store, manufacture, or handle listed toxic and flammable substances above threshold quantities to develop and submit a Risk Management Plan to the EPA. The plan must include a hazard assessment, an accident prevention program, and an emergency response program. Facilities must resubmit their RMP every five years.
What is the difference between OSHA PSM and EPA RMP?
OSHA PSM focuses on protecting workers inside the facility. EPA RMP focuses on protecting surrounding communities and the environment from accidental chemical releases. Many facilities must comply with both. RMP additionally requires hazard assessments with offsite consequence analysis, submission of a Risk Management Plan to EPA, and coordination with local emergency responders. The prevention program elements (PHAs, MOC, training, mechanical integrity, incident investigation, audits) are nearly identical between the two regulations.
What are the RMP program levels?
RMP divides covered processes into three levels. Program 1 applies to processes with no public receptors within the worst-case release distance and no recent offsite accidents. Program 2 applies to processes not eligible for Program 1 and not subject to OSHA PSM. Program 3 applies to processes subject to OSHA PSM or in specific NAICS codes (chemical manufacturing, petroleum refining, etc.). Each level has progressively more rigorous requirements.
Which industries are subject to EPA RMP?
RMP applies to any facility holding a listed regulated substance above its threshold quantity. Common industries include chemical manufacturing, petroleum refining, oil and gas processing, water and wastewater treatment, food manufacturing and cold storage (ammonia refrigeration), agricultural chemical distributors, pulp and paper manufacturing, utilities, and government operations. Approximately 12,000 U.S. facilities are subject to RMP.
How often must a Risk Management Plan be submitted to EPA?
Facilities must submit their Risk Management Plan to the EPA via the RMP*eSubmit platform every five years. Plans must also be updated and resubmitted when changes occur in covered processes, when a regulated substance reaches a threshold quantity for the first time, after an RMP-reportable accident, or when the facility's program level changes.
Can the same software manage both PSM and RMP compliance?
Yes. Because PSM and RMP share many overlapping elements (process hazard analysis, operating procedures, training, mechanical integrity, management of change, incident investigation, compliance audits, and emergency planning), a single EHS software platform like Ecesis can manage compliance for both regulations simultaneously. This eliminates duplicate recordkeeping and ensures that updates to shared elements like PHAs and MOCs are reflected across both programs.
What are the penalties for RMP violations?
EPA can impose civil penalties of up to $121,275 per day per violation for RMP noncompliance. Criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, may apply for knowing violations. RMP is currently a National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative, meaning EPA is actively targeting RMP facilities for inspections and enforcement actions, with particular focus on facilities using anhydrous ammonia or hydrogen fluoride.
What is the current status of the 2024 Safer Communities rule?
The 2024 SCCAP rule became effective May 10, 2024, with most compliance dates in 2027–2028. However, in March 2025 the EPA announced it would reconsider the rule, and in February 2026 signed a proposed rule to amend several provisions. The EPA expects to finalize revisions in late 2026. The core RMP requirements (hazard assessment, prevention programs, emergency response, 5-year resubmission) remain unchanged regardless of which rule version is in effect.
Why Ecesis for RMP Compliance?
Unified PSM and RMP Compliance
Most RMP Program 3 facilities are also subject to OSHA PSM. With Ecesis, you manage both regulations through a single platform. PHAs, MOCs, incident investigations, audits, training records, and mechanical integrity documentation are maintained once and satisfy both regulatory frameworks. No duplicate entry, no parallel systems.
Integrated EHS Platform
RMP compliance does not exist in isolation. It connects to chemical management, air emissions, incident reporting, training, inspections, emergency planning, and document control. Ecesis integrates all of these functions in a single cloud-based platform, so data flows between modules and nothing falls through the cracks between separate point solutions.
Rapid Deployment
Ecesis is cloud-based and can be deployed in hours, not weeks or months. Your existing data can be imported and your forms customized to match your current processes. There is no lengthy IT project or on-premise infrastructure required.
Mobile Access
The Ecesis mobile app puts RMP compliance tools in the hands of your field staff. Complete inspections, audits, incident reports, safety observations, and training verifications from iOS and Android devices, with offline support for areas without connectivity.
Customizable to Your Processes
Every facility has different processes, chemicals, and organizational structures. Ecesis forms, workflows, checklists, and reports are fully customizable to match how your facility actually operates, not how a generic template assumes you operate.
Subject Matter Expertise
Our team includes EHS professionals who understand process safety regulations. You get support from people who know both the software and the regulatory requirements, not just a help desk reading from a script.
Affordable and Scalable
Ecesis is designed to be cost-effective for facilities of all sizes, from single-process water treatment plants to multi-site chemical manufacturing operations. Pricing scales with your needs, and there are no per-user license fees that penalize you for giving more employees access to safety information.
Learn More About Ecesis RMP Software
Contact us to schedule a free demo of Ecesis EPA RMP software. See how our integrated platform manages process hazard analyses, incident investigations, management of change, compliance audits, training, emergency response, chemical inventories, and more — all from one system that also supports OSHA PSM compliance.
Or call us directly at (720) 547-5102
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