E.P.A. Launches New Compliance Assistance Center for Auto Recyclers

(05/09/03) E.P.A. has introduced a new web-based Compliance Assistance Center to help automotive recyclers comply with federal and state environmental regulations. The new center, the Environmental Compliance for Automotive Recyclers - or ECARcenter - is a cooperative effort between the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) and the Countrywide Center for Manufacturing Science, and is funded by EPA. In addition to explaining federal and state environmental requirements applicable to the automotive recycling industry, ECARcenter gives users the latest industry news from U.S. and international publications. E.P.A. Assistant Administrator for Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, John Peter Suarez, announced the new center at the ARA's leadership conference in Washington, D.C. on May 9. ECARcenter is the 2nd of 2 new Compliance Assistance Centers launched recently by EPA. On May 1, Administrator Christie Whitman introduced the new Construction Industry Compliance Assistance Center (http://www.ECARcenter.org), partnering with industry, academic institutions, environmental groups, and other agencies to develop thirteen sector-specific Compliance Assistance Centers so far. Other Centers include agriculture, auto repair, chemical, federal facilities, local government, metal finishing, painting and coatings, printed wiring board, printing, transportation, and U.S. / Mexican border environmental issues. E.P.A. surveys suggest that the Centers are serving their intended purpose: to provide access to current information and an increased understanding of applicable regulations. At least 73 percent of the respondents took one or more actions (e.g., conducted a self audit, changed a process or practice) from Center use. Furthermore, 69 percent of the survey respondents reported a cost savings from these actions and 85 percent of respondents reported an environmental improvement. To visit all Compliance Assistance Centers, see: http://www.assistancecenters.net/.

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