Fall 2019 Regulatory Agenda Now Available

While the Agenda was just recently announced, it has been available for about a month. We sent our regular Bulletin to Lion Members, detailing every relevant hazmat, hazardous waste, environmental, and safety regulation covered in the Agenda.

In Lion News last month, we explored three hazmat and three RCRA rulemakings to watch in 2020. Below is a quick recap.  

Hazmat Rules to Watch in 2020  

Harmonization Rule HM 215O. PHMSA planned to release a Final Rule in December 2019 to further harmonize the 49 CFR Hazardous Materials Regulations with international standards in the 2019—20 ICAO TI, the 2018 IMDG Code, and the 20^th Revised Edition UN Model Regulations. The latest harmonization effort was proposed in November 2018. The Final Rule has not hit the Federal Register yet.

Lithium Batteries by Air. In May 2020, PHMSA plans to finalize its Enhanced Safety Provisions for Lithium Batteries by Air. New requirements are already in place under an Interim Final Rule (IFR) completed in March 2019. The Final Rule will make it official. In addition, PHMSA’s IFR added a unique requirement for marking ground shipments of lithium batteries.

19 HMR Revisions. Thirdly, DOT will finalize a rule proposed in August 2019 to make 19 revisions to the HMR to update, clarify, and provide relief from certain requirements.

Read more: 3 Hazardous Materials Rules to Watch in 2020

Other new 49 CFR hazmat rules coming in 2020 include incorporation of hazmat special permits into the HMR, authorizing the transport of LNG (UN 1972) by rail, and initiatives to reduce regulatory burdens for hazmat shippers and stakeholders.

Hazardous Waste Rules to Watch in 2020

Aerosols as Universal Waste. This 2020 rule to watch came early! EPA’s rule to add hazardous waste aerosol cans to the universal waste program is now final. The new management standards take effect on February 7, 2020.

In early 2020, join a Lion hazardous waste instructor for the EPA’s New Aerosol Universal Waste Rule Webinar. During this one-hour session, learn how to identify and properly manage aerosols that qualify for relief and realize potential cost savings offered by EPA’s rule.

Modernizing Ignitability Determinations. This rule, which EPA expects to finalize in March 2020, will update the flash point test methods for characteristically ignitable hazardous waste. The rule will also codify guidance related to ignitable liquids and mixtures. 

Management of Recalled Airbags. EPA developed an Interim Final Rule on November 30, 2018 to establish streamlined hazardous waste management requirements for auto dealers and scrap yards handling recalled Takata airbag inflators. The recall started in 2013 and expanded earlier this year to cover the airbags in more than 1 million vehicles.

Read more: 3 RCRA Hazardous Waste Rules to Watch in 2020

Other new RCRA rules coming in 2020 include a rule related to electronic hazardous waste Manifests, four rulemakings to revise the requirements for disposing of coal combustion residuals from power plants, and more.

You can view each agency's Agenda for yourself in the Federal Register at the links below.

US DOT’s Fall 2019 Agenda
US EPA’s Fall 2019 Agenda
DOL/OSHA’s 2019 Agenda

How do I become a Lion Member? It's easy! Nearly every Lion workshop, online course, and webinar includes a free Membership. Membership gives you access to regular Bulletins, monthly regulatory summaries, and the Finder Service. Learn more at www.Lion.com/Membership. 

Tags: DOT, hazardous waste management, hazmat shipping, new rules, RCRA