EPA SPCC Compliance Requirements for Facilities

EPA SPCC compliance requirements for facilities that store oil are not optional—they are mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Oil Pollution Prevention regulations (40 CFR Part 112). Facilities that store oil in containers of 55 gallons or larger and maintain a total onsite storage capacity of 1,320 gallons or more must develop, maintain, and implement an SPCC Plan.

As a result, Understanding and meeting these requirements is essential to protecting the environment, maintaining regulatory compliance, and remaining inspection-ready.

What Are EPA SPCC Compliance Requirements?

An SPCC Plan outlines how a facility prevents and controls oil spills and plans for an effective response. The plan must reflect actual site conditions and operational practices rather than a generic template.

A compliant SPCC Plan typically includes:

• Oil storage and handling practices
• Secondary containment and spill prevention measures
• Inspection, testing, and maintenance procedures
• Spill response and reporting protocols
• Compliance with applicable federal SPCC regulations

In addition, A registered Professional Engineer (PE) must review and certify SPCC Plans.

Determining EPA SPCC Applicability for Facilities

To begin, SPCC applicability is determined by evaluating oil storage capacity, container types, and the potential for oil to reach navigable waters. This evaluation often includes a site review to document container locations, drainage pathways, and spill control measures.

Accordingly, Facilities should be assessed using current EPA guidance to ensure alignment with inspection criteria used by regulators.

Why EPA SPCC Compliance Matters

Notably, EPA inspectors may arrive with little notice and expect facilities to produce a current, certified SPCC Plan upon request. Inspectors may also review whether spill prevention measures and inspection procedures outlined in the plan are actively implemented.

Consequently, noncompliance with SPCC requirements can trigger enforcement actions, penalties, and increased environmental risk.

An up-to-date, inspection-ready SPCC Plan helps facilities:

• Reduce regulatory risk
• Protect nearby waterways
• Demonstrate environmental responsibility
• Remain prepared for inspections

SPCC and Other Environmental Compliance Obligations

Beyond SPCC requirements, facilities subject to SPCC regulations often face additional environmental requirements, including air quality compliance, environmental health and safety programs, and waste or wastewater management. Understanding how these programs intersect can improve overall compliance and operational efficiency.

For detailed regulatory language, facilities should review the EPA’s Oil Pollution Prevention regulations under 40 CFR Part 112 linked on the EPA’s “Overview of the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Regulation” page, which can be found here.

Support for Navigating EPA SPCC Compliance

With Patriot, you can take comfort in knowing your business has thorough, inspection-ready documentation at a moment’s notice. A dedicated Environmental Project Manager oversees the process from start to finish and keeps your team informed at every step.

Patriot simplifies SPCC compliance requirements for facilities by handling applicability determinations, site inspections, plan development, and Professional Engineer certification—all with efficiency and expertise.

About Patriot

Call us at 317-576-8058 or email info@patrioteng.com to learn more.