EPA Renews the Paperwork for Oil-Spill Response, Because Forms Persist
Published Date: 10/22/2026
Notice
Summary
The EPA wants to keep collecting info about oil and hazardous spills to keep us safe and clean. They’re asking for public feedback before renewing this paperwork, which currently runs out in May 2027. If you’re involved in spill cleanup or reporting, this affects you—so speak up by December 21, 2026!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Manufacturers must submit product testing data
If you make dispersants, surface washing agents, sorbents, bioremediation agents, herding agents, or solidifiers and want your product listed for use in oil-spill response, you must submit technical product data to EPA (including applicable toxicity and efficacy testing) as required by 40 CFR 300.915. EPA estimates about 5 manufacturers per year will apply to list NCP Product Schedule items and 10 manufacturers per year will apply to list sorbents, for a total estimated respondent count of 15 and an estimated annual burden of 318 hours and $391,400 in costs (including $103,867 in operation & maintenance costs).
Stricter listing criteria became mandatory June 10, 2026
A June 2023 rule revised Subpart J so that, effective June 10, 2026, only products submitted and listed under the amended testing and listing criteria will appear on the NCP Product Schedule. For sorbents, products identified before the June 2023 rule were allowed until December 12, 2025 to submit required information and be listed on the new Sorbent Product List.
Confidential business information must be claimed up front
When submitting technical product data to EPA, manufacturers may claim certain information as Proprietary Business Information (PBI) under 40 CFR part 2, subpart B, but such PBI must be submitted separately, clearly identified, and clearly marked "Proprietary Business Information." If a manufacturer fails to claim PBI at submission, EPA may make that information publicly available.
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