Test Methods

A fundamental component of the EMC web site is to provide guidance regarding relevant methods and procedures for emission testing and monitoring. We have modified our presentation of these methods into five different categories. The categories are based on a combination of (1) the legal status of the methods with regard to their application under federally enforceable regulations and (2) the validation information available on the method and the Agency's corresponding confidence in application of the method for its intended use.

Each category is explained below and each includes stipulations for use of the methods included therein. Further provisions regarding the use of a specific method are contained within the applicability statement of the method. Please note that the guidance provided by these categories and methods is meant to supplement, not override the stationary source emission measurement requirements of Title 40 of the Codes of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 51, 60, 61, and 63.

These methods have been proposed or promulgated in the Federal Register and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). They carry an xx, 1xx, 2xx, or 3 xx alphanumeric designation. The xx, 1xx, and 3xx numbered methods are directly cited by specific regulations for determining compliance under 40 CFR Parts 60, 61, and 63, and may be used by sources for application as cited by the regulations and the method itself without further EPA approval.

The 2xx series methods are promulgated to facilitate incorporation in applicable State Implementation Plans. The 2xx methods, like the xx, 1xx, and 3xx series methods, include quality control and quality assurance procedures that must be met.

EPA staff can provide technical support on all methods in this category.

These methods are approved alternatives to the methods required by 40 CFR Parts 60, 61 and 63 as described by the General Provisions of the corresponding Parts. As such, they may be used by sources for determining compliance with the requirements of these Parts per their specified applicability provisions without further EPA approval. The Administrator, or designee (currently David J. Mobley, Acting Director of the Emissions, Monitoring, and Analysis Division of the Office of Air Quality, Planning and Standards), has approved these methods for the specified applications; this approval has been documented through an official EPA letter. These methods include quality control and quality assurance procedures that must be met. The EPA staff may not necessarily be the technical experts on these methods.

These methods have been evaluated by the Agency and may be applicable to one or more categories of stationary sources. The EPA confidence in a method included in this category is based upon review of various technical information including, but not limited to, field and laboratory validation studies; EPA understanding of the most significant quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) issues; and EPA confirmation that the method addresses these QA/QC issues sufficiently to identify when the method may not be acquiring representative data. The method’s QA/QC procedures are required as a condition of applicability.

Methods in Category C may be used by State and local programs in conjunction with Federally enforceable programs (e.g., Title V permits, State Implementation Plans (SIP)) provided they are subject to an EPA Regional SIP approval process or permit veto opportunity and public notice and opportunity for comment. They are available for application without EPA oversight for other non-EPA program uses including state permitting programs and scientific and engineering applications.

The methods in Category C, however, must be approved as alternatives before a source may use them to meet Federal requirements under 40 CFR Parts 60, 61, and 63. The EPA encourages the submission of additional field and laboratory data to further support a method.

The EPA staff may not necessarily be the technical experts on these methods. These methods are potentially subject to change based on the review of additional validation studies or on public comment as a part of adoption as a Federal test method (Category A).

The performance of these methods is not as well defined as that of the conditional methods of Category C. The Agency is providing these as they may be useful in limited applications until more supporting information is available (i.e., can be "gap filling" methods). The EPA expects the methods to work under the conditions of the applicability statement, but is uncertain without additional data on broader application. The EPA encourages submission of data to support broader applicability.

Methods in Category D may be used by state and local programs in conjunction with Federally enforceable programs (e.g., Title V permits, SIPs) provided they are subject to an EPA Regional SIP approval process or permit veto opportunity and public notice and opportunity for comment with the understanding that the method may not be widely applicable and has potential for adverse public comment. They are also available for application without EPA oversight for other non-EPA program uses including state permitting programs and scientific and engineering applications. A method in this category must be Federally approved as an alternative test method before a source may use it to meet requirements under 40 FR Parts 60, 61, or 63.

The methods in this category are not likely to be technically supported by EPA staff and are more likely to change based on the review of additional validation studies or on public comment prior to adoption as a Federal reference method.

The idea box includes method concepts intended to promote information exchange only, and the concepts may not be used by sources to fulfill Federal requirements. These technical ideas have been provided to EPA for posting on the EMC web site. Concepts in the idea box generally have had little or no EPA review or analysis and are not technically supported by the EPA. However, information that resides here may be considered for further assessment by EPA and non-EPA entities for the purposes of method development for placement into higher categories.