40 CFR Part 3

The Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations Part 3 (40 CFR Part 3) provides for electronic reporting (in lieu of a paper document) to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Within this part, requirements are created to ensure that electronic reporting to the EPA is enacted in a satisfactory way to satisfy federal or authorized program reporting requirements, including those requiring an electronic signature.^[1]

Structure

The structure of Part 3 is as follows:

Subpart A — General Provisions

§ 3.1 Who does this part apply to?

§ 3.2 How does this part provide for electronic reporting?

§ 3.3 What definitions are applicable to this part?

§ 3.4 How does this part affect enforcement and compliance provisions of Title 40?

Subpart B — Electronic Reporting to EPA

§ 3.10 What are the requirements for electronic reporting to EPA?

§ 3.20 How will EPA provide notice of changes to the Central Data Exchange?

Subpart C — [Reserved]

Subpart D — Electronic Reporting Under EPA-Authorized State, Tribe, and Local Programs

§ 3.1000 How does a state, tribe, or local government revise or modify its authorized program to allow electronic reporting?

§ 3.2000 What are the requirements authorized state, tribe, and local programs' reporting systems must meet?

Appendix 1 to Part 3 Priority Reports

Subpart A

This is essentially the preamble of the regulations, explaining to what and who the regulations apply as well as how they'll apply. Definitions of common terms appearing in the regulations can also be found here, including a description of electronic signature devices.

Subpart B

This section covers the requirements applicable to electronic record formats and their submission to the EPA's Central Data Exchange (CDX) or other related EPA systems. It also provides guidelines on how the EPA will notify CDX users of hardware and software changes that affect transmission.

Subpart C

Subpart C is blank, "reserved for future EPA electronic recordkeeping requirements."^[2]

Subpart D

This final section provides in-depth requirements for revising state, local, and tribal government programs for electronic submissions as well as outlining the reporting system requirements. In particular it lays out a list of requirements for data generated from electronic document receiving systems, including security, audit trail, quality control, and electronic signatures.