Search

Can CESQGs Use the Materials of Trade Rule?

Posted on 8/17/2011 by James Griffin

Q. I work in an R&D laboratory doing quality testing for a manufacturing plant at the other end of town. We are a conditionally exempt small quantity generator (CESQG) of hazardous waste, mostly ignitable spent solvents.
 
Our corporate EH&S specialist says we can use the Materials of Trade (MOT) rule to haul our hazardous waste across town and consolidate it with the manufacturing plant’s hazardous waste because it’s not “really” hazardous waste.
 
Can you explain what he’s talking about?
 
A. Certainly! We understand that you may be reluctant to try and ship your hazardous waste under the Materials of Trade (MOT) rule because the definition of material of trade (49 CFR 171.8) “means a hazardous material other than a hazardous waste…” But we assure you, the regulations are on your side this time.
 
Even though your waste exhibits the characteristic of ignitability (D001; 40 CFR 261.21) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers it a hazardous waste, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) does not.
 
The EPA’s rules for CESQG hazardous waste exclude your waste from 40 CFR Part 262, including the requirement to use a manifest. [40 CFR 261.5(b)] And if you do not need a hazardous waste manifest, then the DOT does not consider your waste to be hazardous waste. [49 CFR 171.8]
 
Therefore, your EH&S specialist is correct; provided you follow all the conditions specified at 49 CFR 173.6 for the materials of trade exception, you can use the MOT rule to transport your CESQG waste.
 

Tags: DOT, hazardous waste, hazmat shipping, RCRA

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

If I need thorough training or updating, I always use Lion. Lion is always the best in both instruction and materials.

Bryce Parker

EHS Manager

The instructor made the class very enjoyable and catered to the needs of our group.

Sarah Baker

Planner

I was able to present my scenario to the instructor and worked thru the regulations together. In the past, I attended another training firm's classes. Now, I have no intention of leaving Lion!

Diana Joyner

Senior Environmental Engineer

Lion is easily and consistently the best option for compliance training. I've learned new information from every instructor I've had.

Rachel Mathis

EHS Specialist

Much better than my previous class with another company. The Lion instructor made sense, kept me awake and made me laugh!

Marti Severs

Enterprise Safety Manager

The training was impressive. I am not a fan of online training but this was put together very well. I would recommend Lion to others.

Donnie James

Quality Manager

The exercises in the DOT hazardous materials management course are especially helpful in evaluating your understanding of course information.

Morgan Bliss

Principal Industrial Hygienist

Excellent. I learned more in two days with Lion than at a 5-day program I took with another provider.

Francisco Gallardo

HES Technician

The course was very well structured and covered the material in a clear, concise manner.

Ian Martinez

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Convenient; I can train when I want, where I want.

Barry Cook

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Get to know the top 5 changes to OSHA’s revised GHS Hazard Communication Standard at 29 CFR 1910.1200 and how the updates impacts employee safety at your facility.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.