Is Mid-February Too Late to Submit Tier II Reports by the March 1st Deadline?

Feeling the February Tier II Pressure? Here's What You Need to Know.

It’s mid-February, and you just realized the March 1st deadline for Tier II reporting is looming. Maybe you meant to start earlier, or maybe time just got away from you—either way, you’re not alone. Plenty of businesses find themselves scrambling at the last minute to pull together their hazardous chemical inventory and meet regulatory requirements.

If you’re feeling the stress, take a deep breath. While waiting until now isn’t ideal, you still have options. Don’t panic—just act quickly. And if you need help, we’re here to make sure you get through it. Contact us today to see if we can assist with your Tier II reporting.

What is Tier II Reporting?

Tier II reporting is part of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). It requires businesses that store hazardous chemicals over specific thresholds to submit annual reports detailing the types, amounts, and locations of these substances. These reports help emergency responders, regulatory agencies, and local communities stay informed about potential hazards in their area. We cover the whole thing in our other article: What is Tier II Community Right to Know (CRTK) Reporting?

In simple terms, if your business has certain chemicals in significant quantities, you need to tell the government about it each year. This isn’t just a formality—it’s crucial for emergency preparedness and public safety. By now, you're probably sure you need to do this reporting, but if you're still confused, we have a whole article on exactly who needs to do Tier II reporting.

Is Mid-February Too Late to Submit Tier II Reports by the March 1st Deadline?

The March 1st deadline is non-negotiable, so the real question is: can you still make it?

If your report is mostly complete and you know what you're doing, you’re probably in decent shape. But if you’re just now starting or aren’t sure what’s required, you’ve got some serious catching up to do. The key is to act fast—review your data, check your past reports (if applicable), and finalize your submission as soon as possible.

If you’re nowhere near completing your Tier II report—and worse, if you’ve never done it before—then you’re in trouble. These reports require detailed chemical inventory data, facility-specific information, and precise regulatory knowledge. If you’re going it alone without prior experience, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to complete an accurate submission in time without professional help.

If this is you, try not to panic. There ARE options available, though none of them are as good as getting started ahead of time. At this point, your best bet is to hire an expert to take over your reporting, but that comes with some caveats.

Making it to the Tier II Finish Line with Help from an Expert

The good news? There are people out there who do this kind of work all the time and know Tier II reporting like the back of their hands, and they may be able to help you. These people (like us here at RMA!) are called environmental consultants, and their job, among other things, is to help businesses like yours with Tier II reports. Hallelujah!

The bad news? You’ve waited until the last minute, and consultants are likely busy with clients who started their reports months ago. So, what does that mean for you?

• Finding a consultant who can take on your report at the last minute may be difficult. Most reputable consultants are already tied up with other clients who started their reporting months in advance, meaning availability is extremely limited. You may need to reach out to multiple firms before finding one with the capacity to help you.

• You’ll likely need to pay an expedited processing fee to get your report prioritized. Since consultants are already deep into Tier II reporting season, they'll likely require additional fees to rearrange their workload to accommodate a last-minute request. This means a $2,000 project might now run you $3,000-$5,000+. Be prepared for higher costs than you would have faced had you started earlier - and start earlier next year!

• Even with expert help, there’s no guarantee it can be done by the deadline. These reports require detailed chemical inventory data, facility-specific information, and a careful review to ensure compliance. While an experienced consultant can move quickly, there are limits to how fast the work can be done without sacrificing accuracy.

If you need assistance with Tier II reporting, don’t wait another second. Start reaching out to experts immediately. At RMA, we’ve handled countless Tier II reports across the country for years—reach out now to see if we can help you.

What Happens if My Tier II Report Is Late?

It depends. Maybe nothing happens. Or maybe, you face penalties.

• Potential Fines – Under EPCRA, late or missing Tier II reports can result in penalties of tens of thousands of dollars, per violation, per day. This would certainly be extreme, but it is possible!

• State and Local Penalties – Some states impose additional fines and enforcement actions, which vary in severity. Local agencies may have their own penalties as well.

• Regulatory Scrutiny – A late submission could put your facility on regulators’ radar, potentially leading to inspections or audits.

• Loss of Compliance Trust – Repeated late submissions can lead to stricter oversight, making future compliance more difficult.

• Legal Liability – If an emergency (such as a fire or chemical spill) occurs and first responders aren’t aware of hazardous chemicals due to a missing or late Tier II report, your company could be held legally responsible.

The bottom line? Even if you’ve missed the deadline, it’s still better to submit late than not at all. If you need guidance on what to do next, RMA may be able to help. We’ve worked with businesses across the country to navigate Tier II reporting, even in last-minute situations. Reach out today to see if we can assist you.

What You Should Do If You Miss the Deadline

If March 1st comes and goes and your report wasn't submitted, take a deep breath. If you've hired a consultant, they're doing the best they can to get it submitted as quickly as possible. If you're on your own, well, you're on your own. Here’s what to do:

• Submit the report as soon as possible – A late report is better than no report.

• Notify the appropriate agencies – Some states and local jurisdictions may be willing to work with you if this is your first offense.

• Document the reason for the delay – If an unavoidable issue caused the delay, keep records to explain your situation if needed.

• Improve future compliance efforts – Set reminders and implement internal compliance checks to avoid late submissions in the future.

Submitting late is always better than not submitting at all, and a consultant can help you manage the fallout. They can assist with finalizing your report, communicating with regulatory agencies, documenting the delay, and will work with you in the future to submit your next report on time. RMA has extensive experience handling Tier II reports and may be able to assist you in getting back on track - let's talk today.

Don’t Wait – Get Started Now

Submitting Tier II reports is stressful enough without racing against the clock. If you’re still working on your report, act now before time runs out. Waiting any longer only increases the risk of fines, regulatory scrutiny, or even legal liability. Better yet, reach out to an expert who knows what they're doing to get on the fast-track to submittal.

If you’ve already missed the deadline, don’t panic—but do take immediate steps to get back on track. Submitting late is always better than not submitting at all, and taking action now can help minimize potential consequences. A qualified consultant can guide you through the process, assist with documentation, and help you avoid common pitfalls that could make the situation worse.

At RMA, we’ve helped countless businesses meet their Tier II reporting requirements. Contact us today to see if we can assist you in getting your report submitted on time—or as soon as possible!