Complete title:
Getting Started with the Central Data Exchange (CDX)

Description (short summary):
The Central Data Exchange (CDX) is the portal for entry for environmental data into the United States’ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as the EPA’s node on the Environmental Information Exchange Network (Exchange Network), which links EPA, the states, and other stakeholders over the Internet. Most of the development to date has focused on submitting information electronically, but the CDX can support paper, magnetic media and optical media submissions as well. In brief, CDX provides the following services:

• Receives data, either in paper or electronic form
• Performs security and archiving functions
• Edits data and converts formats
• Distributes the data to EPA’s and other agencies’ appropriate systems
• Supports external users.

This document provides an overview of the steps necessary to successfully implement a new data flow through CDX.

The Central Data Exchange offers industry, states, tribes, and other stakeholders a faster, easier, and secure reporting option. CDX provides built-in quality checks, standard file formats, and a common, user-friendly approach to exchanging data. As part of EPA's e-government initiative, CDX will help ensure that both the public and regulators can access the information needed to document environmental performance, understand environmental conditions, and make sound decisions to protect the environment.

There are benefits for all stakeholders of CDX.

For the EPA and Program Offices, CDX:

• Eliminates redundant infrastructure and its associated cost;
• Enables faster, lower-cost implementation of new or modified data flows;
• Integrates data to Agency data repositories;
• Establishes consistent procedures for electronic signatures;
• Decreases time to make information publicly accessible;
• Improves data quality;
• Reduces record management costs by eliminating redundant record keeping;
• Establishes EPA's presence on the Environmental Information Exchange Network;
• Assists in achieving CROMERR Compliance.

For Industry, States, Local Agencies and Tribes, CDX:

• Reduces overall reporting burden;
• Improves access to data;
• Provides electronic confirmation that information was received and that the electronic form was filled out correctly;
• Reduces time and costs associated with environmental data submission requirements;
• Simplifies reporting to a single point in the Agency instead of many separate Programs;
• Allows faster securing of submission through built-in edit and data quality checks;
• Improves security and transmission of confidential business information (CBI) through registration and authentication;
• Reduces burden of complying with new or changing requirements;
• Streamlines reporting through the Exchange Network and Web Services.

 

Number of pages:
53

Nature of documentation: Manual (technical documentation)