Issuing information request letters is a basic component of nearly all potentially responsible party (PRP) searches. The letters are used for information gathering purposes and do not designate an entity as a PRP.

Section 104(e) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA, commonly referred to as Superfund) authorizes the Agency to issue information request letters to any person (including business entities and government agencies) who may have information about a site, not just to persons who may be PRPs. Guidance on EPA's information gathering authorities is available in the Guidance on Use and Enforcement of CERCLA Information Requests and Administrative Subpoenas (8/25/88). Additional information on information requests is available from the Superfund policy and guidance database's information requests/exchanges category.

Information on issuing information requests is available in chapter 3 of the PRP Search Manual.

Collection of Questions for CERCLA Section 104(e) Information Requests

Under section 104(e) of CERCLA, EPA is authorized to seek information involving sites containing hazardous substances. Early in the cleanup process, EPA conducts a search to find all of the PRPs. EPA looks for evidence to determine liability by matching wastes found at the site with parties that may have contributed wastes to the site. EPA uses many approaches to do this research, including the use of "information request letters" to gather information.

The collection of questions by specific categories is intended to assist the Regions in tailoring specific information requests based on the type of potentially responsible party and their involvement at a site.

View the collection of Questions for CERCLA Section 104(e) Information Requests

​The 104(e) information request question categories include the following:

• Arrangers and Generators
• Financial Subcategories
  • Ability to Pay
    • General
    • Individual
  • Dissolution of Corporation
  • Estates
  • General Financial Questions
  • Lender Liability
  • Other Entities
  • Parent Corporations
  • Piercing the Corporate Veil
  • Successor Liability
  • Trusts
• Insurance Coverage Subcategories
  • Ability to Pay
  • Brokers
  • Insurers
• Owner/Operator Subcategories
  • Auto Shops
  • Chemical and Manufacturing Plants
  • Dry Cleaning
  • General Manufacturer Process
  • General Questions
  • Grain Fumigants
  • Innocent Landowner
  • Landfills
  • Lead Battery Facilities
  • Mining Processes
  • Polychlorinated Biphenols (PCB) Sites
  • Solvents
  • Used Oil Facilities: Tar and Oil ByProducts
  • Used Oil Facilities: Waste Oil
• Superfund Recycling Equity Act Subcategories
  • Batteries
  • Electrical Equipment
  • General Questions
  • Scrap Metal
  • Scrap - Paper, Plastics, Textiles
• Transporters

Learn More: Superfund "Notice of Liability" Letters

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