Title 40 · EPA

Organic Chemicals, Plastics, And Synthetic Fibers

40 C.F.R. Part 414 · Updated July 1, 2025

§ 414.10 — General definitions.

As used in this part:

(a) Except as provided in this regulation, the general definitions, abbreviations and methods of analysis set forth in part 401 of this chapter shall apply to this part.

(b) Pretreatment control authority means:

(1) The POTW if the POTW's submission for its pretreatment program has been approved in accordance with the requirements of 40 CFR 403.11, or

(2) The Approval Authority if the submission has not been approved.

§ 414.11 — Applicability.

(a) The provisions of this part are applicable to process wastewater discharges from all establishments or portions of establishments that manufacture the organic chemicals, plastics, and synthetic fibers (OCPSF) products or product groups covered by subparts B through H of this regulation and are included within the following U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of the Census Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) major groups:

(1) SIC 2821—Plastic Materials, Synthetic Resins, and Nonvulcanizable Elastomers,

(2) SIC 2823—Cellulosic Man-Made Fibers,

(3) SIC 2824—Synthetic Organic Fibers, Except Cellulosic,

(4) SIC 2865—Cyclic Crudes and Intermediates, Dyes, and Organic Pigments,

(5) SIC 2869—Industrial Organic Chemicals, Not Elsewhere Classified.

(b) The provisions of this part are applicable to wastewater discharges from OCPSF research and development, pilot plant, technical service and laboratory bench scale operations if such operations are conducted in conjunction with and related to existing OCPSF manufacturing activities at the plant site.

(c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, the provisions of this part are not applicable to discharges resulting from the manufacture of OCPSF products if the products are included in the following SIC subgroups and have in the past been reported by the establishment under these subgroups and not under the SIC groups listed in paragraph (a) of this section:

(1) SIC 2843085—bulk surface active agents;

(2) SIC 28914—synthetic resin and rubber adhesives;

(3) Chemicals and Chemical Preparations, not Elsewhere Classified:

(i) SIC 2899568—sizes, all types

(ii) SIC 2899597—other industrial chemical specialties, including fluxes, plastic wood preparations, and embalming fluids;

(4) SIC 2911058—aromatic hydrocarbons manufactured from purchased refinery products; and

(5) SIC 2911632—aliphatic hydrocarbons manufactured from purchased refinery products.

(d) Notwithstanding paragraph (a) of this section, the provisions of this part are not applicable to any discharges for which a different set of previously promulgated effluent limitations guidelines and standards in this subchapter apply, unless the facility reports OCPSF products under SIC codes 2865, 2869, or 2821, and the facility's OCPSF wastewaters are treated in a separate treatment system or discharged separately to a publicly owned treatment works.

(e) The provisions of this part do not apply to any process wastewater discharges from the manufacture of organic chemical compounds solely by extraction from plant and animal raw materials or by fermentation processes.

(f) Discharges of chromium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc in “complexed metal-bearing waste streams,” listed in appendix B of this part, are not subject to the requirements of this part.

(g) Non-amenable cyanide. Discharges of cyanide in “cyanide-bearing waste streams” (listed in appendix A to this part) are not subject to the cyanide limitations and standards of this part if the permit writer or control authority determines that the cyanide limitations and standards are not achievable due to elevated levels of non-amenable cyanide (i.e., cyanide that is not oxidized by chlorine treatment) that result from the unavoidable complexing of cyanide at the process source of the cyanide-bearing waste stream and establishes an alternative total cyanide or amenable cyanide limitation that reflects the best available technology economically achievable. The determination must be based upon a review of relevant engineering, production, and sampling and analysis information, including measurements of both total and amenable cyanide in the waste stream. An analysis of the extent of complexing in the waste stream, based on the foregoing information, and its impact on cyanide treatability shall be set forth in writing and, for direct dischargers, be contained in the fact sheet required by 40 CFR 124.8.

(h) Allowances for non-metal-bearing waste streams. Discharge limitations for chromium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc or discharge standards for lead and zinc may be established for waste streams not listed in appendix A of this part and not otherwise determined to be “metal-bearing waste streams” if the permit writer or control authority determines that the wastewater metals contamination is due to background levels that are not reasonably avoidable from sources such as intake water, corrosion of construction materials or contamination of raw materials. The determination must be based upon a review of relevant plant operating conditions, process chemistry, engineering, and sampling and analysis information. An analysis of the sources and levels of the metals, based on the foregoing information, shall be set forth in writing; for direct dischargers, the analysis shall be contained in the fact sheet required by 40 CFR 124.8. For direct dischargers, the permit writer may establish limitations for chromium, copper, lead, nickel, and zinc for non-“metal-bearing waste streams” between the lowest level which the permit writer determines based on best professional judgment can be reliably measured and the concentrations of such metals present in the wastestreams, but not to exceed the applicable limitations contained in §§ 414.91 and 414.101. (For zinc, the applicable limitations which may not be exceeded are those appearing in the tables in §§ 414.91 and 414.101, not the alternative limitations for rayon fiber manufacture by the viscose process and the acrylic fiber manufacture by the zinc chloride/solvent process set forth in footnote 2 to each of these tables.) For indirect dischargers, the control authority may establish standards for lead and zinc for non-“metal-bearing waste streams” between the lowest level which the control authority determines based on best professional judgment can be reliably measured and the concentration of such metals present in the wastestreams, but not to exceed the applicable standards contained in §§ 414.25, 414.35, 414.45, 414.55, 414.65, 414.75, and 414.85. (For zinc, the applicable standards which may not be exceeded are those appearing in the tables in the above referenced sections, not the alternative standards for rayon filber manufacture by the viscose process set forth in footnote 2 to the table in § 414.25, or the alternative standards for acrylic fiber manufacture by the zinc chloride/solvent process set forth in footnote 2 to the table in § 414.35.) The limitations and standards for individual dischargers shall be set on a mass basis by multiplying the concentration allowance established by the permit writer or control authority by the process wastewater flow from the individual wastestreams for which incidental metals have been found to be present.

(i) BOD5 and TSS limitations for plants with production in two or more subcategories. Any existing or new source direct discharge point source subject to two or more of subparts B through H must achieve BOD5 and TSS discharges not exceeding the quantity (mass) determined by multiplying the total OCPSF process wastewater flow subject to subparts B through H times the following “OCPSF production-proportioned concentration”: For a specific plant, let wj be the proportion of the plant's total OCPSF production in subcategory j. Then the plant-specific production-proportioned concentration limitations are given by:

§ 414.12 — Compliance date for pretreatment standards for existing sources (PSES).

All dischargers subject to PSES in this part must comply with the standards by no later than three years after date of promulgation in the Federal Register.

§ 414.20 — Applicability; description of the rayon fibers subcategory.

The provisions of this subpart are applicable to process wastewater discharges resulting from the manufacture of rayon fiber by the viscose process only.

§ 414.21 — Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT).

Except as provided in 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, and in 40 CFR 414.11(i) for point sources with production in two or more subcategories, any existing point source subject to this subpart must achieve discharges not exceeding the quantity (mass) determined by multiplying the process wastewater flow subject to this subpart times the concentration listed in the following table.

§ 414.22 — Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best conventional pollutant control technology (BCT). [Reserved]

§ 414.23 — Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT).

(a) The Agency has determined that for existing point sources whose total OCPSF production defined by § 414.11 is less than or equal to five (5) million pounds of OCPSF products per year, the BPT level of treatment is the best available technology economically achievable. Accordingly, the Agency is not promulgating more stringent BAT limitations for these point sources.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (a) of this section and in 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, any existing point source that uses end-of-pipe biological treatment and is subject to this subpart must achieve discharges in accordance with § 414.91 of this part.

(c) Except as provided in paragraph (a) of this section and in 40 CFR 125.30 through 125.32, any existing point source that does not use end-of-pipe biological treatment and is subject to this subpart must achieve discharges in accordance with § 414.101 of this part.

§ 414.24 — New source performance standards (NSPS).

(a) Any new source that uses end-of-pipe biological treatment and is subject to this subpart must achieve discharges in accordance with § 414.91 of this part and also must not exceed the quantity (mass) determined by multiplying the process wastewater flow subject to this subpart times the concentrations in the following table.

(b) Any new source that does not use end-of-pipe biological treatment and is subject to this subpart must achieve discharges in accordance with § 414.101 of this part and also must not exceed the quantity (mass) determined by multiplying the process wastewater flow subject to this subpart times the concentrations in the following table.

§ 414.25 — Pretreatment standards for existing sources (PSES).

Except as provided in 40 CFR 403.7 and 403.13, any existing source subject to this subpart which introduces pollutants into a publicly owned treatment works must comply with 40 CFR part 403 and achieve discharges in accordance with § 414.111.

§ 414.26 — Pretreatment standards for new sources (PSNS).

Except as provided in 40 CFR 403.7 any new source subject to this subpart which introduces pollutants into a publicly owned treatment works must comply with 40 CFR part 403 and achieve discharges in accordance with § 411.111.

§ 414.30 — Applicability; description of the other fibers subcategory.

The provisions of this subpart are applicable to the process wastewater discharges resulting from the manufacture of products classified under SIC 2823 cellulosic man-made fibers, except Rayon, and SIC 2824 synthetic organic fibers including those fibers and fiber groups listed below. Product groups are indicated with an asterisk (*).

§ 414.31 — Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT).

§ 414.32 — Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best conventional pollutant control technology (BCT). [Reserved]

§ 414.33 — Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT).

§ 414.34 — New source performance standards (NSPS).

(a) Any new source that uses end-of-pipe biological treatment and is subject to this subpart must achieve discharges in accordance with § 414.91 of this part, and also must not exceed the quantity (mass) determined by multiplying the process wastewater flow subject to this subpart times the concentrations in the following table.

(b) Any new source that does not use end-of-pipe biological treatment and is subject to this subpart must achieve discharges in accordance with § 414.101 of this part, and also must not exceed the quantity (mass) determined by multiplying the process wastewater flow subject to this subpart times the concentrations in the following table.

§ 414.35 — Pretreatment standards for existing sources (PSES).

§ 414.36 — Pretreatment standards for new sources (PSNS).

§ 414.40 — Applicability; description of the thermoplastic resins subcategory.

The provisions of this subpart are applicable to the process wastewater discharges resulting from the manufacture of the products classified under SIC 28213 thermoplastic resins including those resins and resin groups listed below. Product groups are indicated with an asterisk (*).

§ 414.41 — Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT).

§ 414.42 — Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best conventional pollutant control technology (BCT). [Reserved]

§ 414.43 — Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT).

§ 414.44 — New source performance standards (NSPS).

§ 414.45 — Pretreatment standards for existing sources (PSES).

§ 414.46 — Pretreatment standards for new sources (PSNS).

§ 414.50 — Applicability; description of the thermosetting resins subcategory.

The provisions of this subpart are applicable to the process wastewater discharges resulting from the manufacture of the products classified under SIC 28214 thermosetting resins including those resins and resin groups listed below. Product groups are indicated with an asterisk (*).

§ 414.51 — Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT).

§ 414.52 — Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best conventional pollutant control technology (BCT). [Reserved]

§ 414.53 — Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT).

§ 414.54 — New source performance standards (NSPS).

§ 414.55 — Pretreatment standards for existing sources (PSES).

§ 414.56 — Pretreatment standards for new sources (PSNS).

§ 414.60 — Applicability; description of the commodity organic chemicals subcategory.

The provisions of this subpart are applicable to the process wastewater discharges resulting from the manufacture of the following SIC 2865 and 2869 commodity organic chemicals and commodity organic chemical groups. Product groups are indicated with an asterisk (*).

(a) Aliphatic Organic Chemicals

(b) Aromatic Organic Chemicals

§ 414.61 — Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT).

§ 414.62 — Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best conventional pollutant control technology (BCT). [Reserved]

§ 414.63 — Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT).

§ 414.64 — New source performance standards (NSPS).

§ 414.65 — Pretreatment standards for existing sources (PSES).

§ 414.66 — Pretreatment standards for new sources (PSNS).

§ 414.70 — Applicability; description of the bulk organic chemicals subcategory.

The provisions of this subpart are applicable to the process wastewater discharges resulting from the manufacture of the following SIC 2865 and 2869 bulk organic chemicals and bulk organic chemical groups. Product groups are indicated with an asterisk (*).

(a) Aliphatic Organic Chemicals

(b) Amine and Amide Organic Chemicals

(d) Halogenated Organic Chemicals

(e) Other Organic Chemicals

§ 414.71 — Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT).

§ 414.72 — Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best conventional pollutant control technology (BCT). [Reserved]

§ 414.73 — Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT).

§ 414.74 — New source performance standards (NSPS).

§ 414.75 — Pretreatment standards for existing sources (PSES).

§ 414.76 — Pretreatment standards for new sources (PSNS).

§ 414.80 — Applicability; description of the specialty organic chemicals subcategory.

The provisions of this subpart are applicable to the process wastewater discharges resulting from the manufacture of all SIC 2865 and 2869 organic chemicals and organic chemical groups which are not defined as commodity or bulk organic chemicals in §§ 414.60 and 414.70, respectively.

§ 414.81 — Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best practicable control technology currently available (BPT).

§ 414.82 — Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best conventional pollutant control technology (BCT). [Reserved]

§ 414.83 — Effluent limitations representing the degree of effluent reduction attainable by the application of the best available technology economically achievable (BAT).

§ 414.84 — New source performance standards (NSPS).

(a) Any new source that uses end-of-pipe biological treatment and is subject to this subpart must achieve discharges in accordance with § 414.9 of this part, and also must not exceed the quantity (mass) determined by multiplying the process wastewater flow subject to this subpart times the concentrations in the following table.

§ 414.85 — Pretreatment standards for existing sources (PSES).

§ 414.86 — Pretreatment standards for new sources (PSNS).

§ 414.90 — Applicability; description of the subcategory of direct discharge point sources that use end-of-pipe biological treatment.

The provisions of this subpart are applicable to the process wastewater discharges resulting from the manufacture of the OCPSF products and product groups defined by § 414.11 from any point source that uses end-of-pipe biological treatment or installs end-of-pipe biological treatment to comply with BPT effluent limitations.

§ 414.91 — Toxic pollutant effluent limitations and standards for direct discharge point sources that use end-of-pipe biological treatment.

(a) Any point source subject to this subpart must achieve discharges not exceeding the quantity (mass) determined by multiplying the process wastewater flow subject to this subpart times the concentrations in the following table.

(b) In the case of chromium, copper, lead, nickel, zinc, and total cyanide, the discharge quantity (mass) shall be determined by multiplying the concentrations listed in the following table for these pollutants times the flow from metal-bearing waste streams for the metals and times the flow from cyanide bearing waste streams for total cyanide. The metal-bearing waste streams and cyanide-bearing waste streams are defined as those waste streams listed in appendix A of this part, plus any additional OCPSF process wastewater streams identified by the permitting authority on a case-by-case basis as metal or cyanide bearing based upon a determination that such streams contain significant amounts of the pollutants identified above. Any such streams designated as metal or cyanide bearing must be treated independently of other metal or cyanide bearing waste streams unless the permitting authority determines that the combination of such streams, prior to treatment, with the appendix A waste streams will result in substantial reduction of these pollutants. This determination must be based upon a review of relevant engineering, production, and sampling and analysis information.

§ 414.100 — Applicability; description of the subcategory of direct discharge point sources that do not use end-of-pipe biological treatment.

The provisions of this subpart are applicable to the process wastewater discharges resulting from the manufacture of the OCPSF products and product groups defined by § 414.11 from any point source that does not use end-of-pipe biological treatment and does not install end-of-pipe biological treatment to comply with BPT effluent limitations.

§ 414.101 — Toxic pollutant effluent limitations and standards for direct discharge point sources that do not use end-of-pipe biological treatment.

(b) In the case of chromium, copper, lead, nickel, zinc, and total cyanide, the discharge quantity (mass) shall be determined by multiplying the concentrations listed in the following table for these pollutants times the flow from metal bearing waste streams for the metals and times the cyanide-bearing waste streams for total cyanide. The metal-bearing waste streams and cyanide-bearing waste streams are defined as those waste streams listed in appendix A of this part, plus any additional OCPSF process wastewater streams identified by the permitting authority on a case-by-case basis as metal or cyanide bearing based upon a determination that such streams contain significant amounts of the pollutants identified above. Any such streams designated as metal or cyanide bearing must be treated independently of other metal or cyanide bearing waste streams unless the permitting authority determines that the combination of such streams, prior to treatment, with the Appendix A waste streams will result in substantial reduction of these pollutants. This determination must be based upon a review of relevant engineering, production, and sampling and analysis information.

§ 414.110 — Applicability; description of the subcategory of indirect discharge point sources.

§ 414.111 — Toxic pollutant standards for indirect discharge point sources.

(b) In the case of lead, zinc, and total cyanide the discharge quantity (mass) shall be determined by multiplying the concentrations listed in the following table for these pollutants times the flow from metal-bearing waste streams for metals and times the flow from the cyanide-bearing waste streams for total cyanide. The metal-bearing waste streams and cyanide-bearing waste streams are defined as those waste streams listed in appendix A of this part, plus any additional OCPSF process wastewater streams identified by the control authority on a case-by-case basis as metal or cyanide bearing based upon a determination that such streams contain significant amounts of the pollutants identified above. Any such streams designated as metal or cyanide bearing must be treated independently of other metal or cyanide bearing waste streams unless the control authority determines that the combination of such streams, prior to treatment, with the appendix A waste streams will result in substantial reduction of these pollutants. This determination must be based upon a review of relevant engineering, production, and sampling and analysis information.