The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) approved a final rule on accidental release reporting. The rule requires prompt reports to the CSB from owners or operators of facilities that experience an accidental release of a regulated substance or extremely hazardous substance that results in a death, serious injury or substantial property damage. It will become as of 30 days after date of publication in Federal Register.

The CSB anticipates that these reports will provide the agency with key information important in making prompt deployment decisions.

The rule is required by the CSB’s enabling legislation but was not issued during the first 20 years of CSB operations. Last year a court ordered the CSB to finalize a rule within a year. The CSB intends to work cooperatively with various stakeholders to ensure that affected parties understand and comply with the rule, which is available here.