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NCP Product Schedule – Subpart J

Subpart J of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP) directs EPA to prepare a schedule of dispersants, other chemicals, and oil spill mitigating devices and substances that may be used to remove or control oil discharges.

NCP Product Schedule

The NCP Product Schedule (August 2012) (PDF) (30 pp, 271K, About PDF) is also available for download in its entirety.

EPA maintains the NCP Product Schedule, which lists the following types of products that are authorized for use on oil discharges:

  • Dispersants
  • Surface washing agents
  • Surface collecting agents
  • Bioremediation agents
  • Miscellaneous oil spill control agents

See Definitions of Product Categories

See Alphabetical List of NCP Product Schedule Products with Links to Technical Product Summaries

Sorbents

Sorbents are defined in the National Contingency Plan Subpart J, but the regulation does not require their inclusion on the NCP Product Schedule if they meet the regulatory definition. Manufacturers may write a letter with Confidential Business Information (CBI) to EPA and receive an official letter stating that their product meets the regulatory definition of a sorbent. This letter can be shared with the Federal On-Scene Coordinator of an oil spill to verify the sorbent composition. Chemical sorbents are classified as Miscellaneous Oil Spill Control Agents (MOSCA) on the NCP Product Schedule. Sorbents must always be removed from oil spills and be disposed of properly.

Design for the Environment

Note: Products may be eligible for recognition by EPA's Design for the Environment (DfE) Program as a safer oil spill treatment. The DfE Program labels products that have met its stringent criteria for human health and environmental safety. For more information on the DfE Safer Product Labeling Program, please visit http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/formulat/saferproductlabeling.htm

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NCP Product Schedule Technical Notebook

The NCP Product Schedule Technical Notebook (August 2012) (PDF) (372 pp, 1.5M, About PDF) presents manufacturer's summary information on the conditions under which each of the products is recommended to be used. Manufacturer information may provide handling and worker precautions, storage information, recommended application procedures, physical properties, and toxicity, effectiveness, or other analyses. Disclaimer: The listing of a product on the Product Schedule does NOT mean that EPA approves, recommends, licenses, certifies, or authorizes the use of the product on an oil discharge. The listing means only that data have been submitted to EPA as required by Subpart J of the National Contingency Plan, Section 300.915. (Source: 40 CFR §300.920 (e))

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How to List a New Product on the NCP Product Schedule

There is an established process that manufacturers must follow to have a product listed on the NCP Product Schedule.

  1. Begin by reviewing data requirements in section 300.915 of Subpart J (PDF) (8 pp, 66K, About PDF) of the NCP Product Schedule.
  2. Determine product category (e.g., dispersant, surface washing agent, etc.)
  3. Fulfill each of the data requirements for selected product category, including effectiveness and toxicity testing (if applicable). If you need assistance locating a laboratory to help fufill these requirements, please call the NCP Product Schedule Information Line.
  4. Send a hard copy of all data requirements for review to:
    Nick Nichols
    NCP Product Schedule Manager
    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
    Ariel Rios North Building - Mail Code 5104-A
    Room 6450T
    Washington, D.C. 20460
  5. If you have further questions or require more information, please call the NCP Product Schedule Information Line.

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Subpart J Regulations

EPA is currently making revisions to the Subpart J regulation to clarify and update the Product Schedule listing procedures. These updates may include effectiveness and toxicity testing. Please watch the Federal Register for the posting of the Proposed Rule in December 2012. Once the Proposed Rule is posted to the Docket, there will be a public comment period for providing questions and concerns. The compiled comments will be addressed in the final rule. Office of Management and Budget Agenda: Revisions to the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan; Subpart J Product Schedule Listing Requirements.

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Effectiveness and Toxicity Testing

For the products on the schedule, EPA provides NCP Product Schedule Toxicity and Effectiveness Summaries for each product category. Appendix C to 40 CFR part 300 (PDF) (23 pp, 187K, About PDF) describes methods for required effectiveness and toxicity tests for specific product categories.

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Disclaimer Information

The listing of a product on the NCP Product Schedule does not constitute approval of the product. To avoid possible misinterpretation or misrepresentation, any label, advertisement, or technical literature that refers to the placement of the product on the NCP Product Schedule must either reproduce in its entirety EPA's written statement that it will add the product to the NCP Product Schedule under Sec. 300.920(a)(2) or (b)(2), or include the disclaimer shown below. If the disclaimer is used, it must be conspicuous and must be fully reproduced. Failure to comply with these restrictions or any other improper attempt to demonstrate the approval of the product by any National Response Team (NRT) or other U.S. Government agency shall constitute grounds for removing the product from the NCP Product Schedule. [40 CFR 300.920(e)]

Disclaimer

[PRODUCT NAME] is on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's NCP Product Schedule. This listing does NOT mean that EPA approves, recommends, licenses, certifies, or authorizes the use of [PRODUCT NAME] on an oil discharge. This listing means only that data have been submitted to EPA as required by subpart J of the National Contingency Plan, Sec. 300.915.

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