Georgia to Adopt New RCRA Hazardous Waste Rules Next Month

US EPA’s “Generator Improvements Rule” took effect on May 30, 2017. Now, individual US states must adopt certain elements of this Final Rule in order to maintain their authorization to oversee their own hazardous waste program.

A proposal now available from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) lays out the State Agency’s plans for adopting recent updates to the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste rules. According to the proposal, Georgia plans to adopt the new RCRA rules next month, August 2017.

This update to Georgia’s State hazardous waste regulations will incorporate major updates in two EPA rulemakings—the Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule and the revised Hazardous Waste Import-Export requirements—into the Official Code of Georgia (O.C.G.A.) Chapter 391-3-11.

This Fall! Learn the new RCRA rules in Atlanta on October 16-17! Meet EPA’s annual training mandate for hazardous waste personnel at 40 CFR 262.17 (new!) and be prepared for major changes when Georgia adopts the revised Federal RCRA rules. 

 

RCRA Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule  

Effective as of May 30, 2017 and already in force in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Alaska, and Iowa, the revised RCRA generator rules will have a major impact on the way sites manage hazardous waste compliance.

Georgia’s proposal for adoption includes the following elements of the new EPA hazardous waste rules:
 

• New hazardous waste definitions in 40 CFR 260.10 and 260.11
• Updated hazardous waste management standards in 40 CFR 262
• Latest US EPA Recycled Used Oil Management Standards at 40 CFR 279, the Universal Waste Standards at 40 CFR 273, and the Land Disposal Restrictions (LDR) in 40 CFR 268*

*Except for elements of the LDR rules that will be implemented by US EPA (40 CFR 268.5, 268.6, 268.42(b), and 268.44(a)-(g)).

See a full break down of the major changes to the RCRA hazardous waste rules under EPA’s “Generator Improvements Rule” here.

New Hazardous Waste Import/Export Requirements

Another Final Rule US EPA signed in November 2016 made amendments to the hazardous waste import/export requirements. US EPA now requires electronic submission of export- and import-related documents. For all hazardous waste exports subject to RCRA export consent requirements, EPA now requires the exporter to submit electronic consent in the US Customs and Border Protection’s Automated Export System (AES).

Read more about the updated hazardous waste import/export requirements here.   

When Will My State Adopt the RCRA “Generator Improvements”?

Now that EPA’s Generator Improvements Rule is in effect, US states have 1 to 2 years to adopt EPA’s updates to the hazardous waste regulations. EPA has made available a list on its website with relatively up-to-date information regarding states’ plans to adopt the Generator Improvements Rule.

States must adopt the elements of the Final Rule that are more stringent that current State rules or risk losing their authorization to run an independent hazardous waste program. States may or may not adopt new reliefs and exemptions added to the Federal RCRA regulations. Learn more about how states adopt new RCRA hazardous waste rules here.

Atlanta—Learn the new RCRA Rules Live

Be ready when Georgia adopts these major changes to the RCRA hazardous waste rules! Plus, meet EPA’s annual training mandate and be prepared to defend your site against EPA fines now as high as $71,264 per day, per violation.

Lion’s RCRA Hazardous Waste Management Workshop curriculum is now updated to cover the major changes in EPA’s Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule. Join us live to find out how these new requirements impact your facility, get updated RCRA regulations, and leave with a full year of Lion Membership for ongoing support and fast answers to your compliance questions. 

Sign up now: Atlanta July 17 - 18 

Or train online 24/7! An updated version of Lion’s RCRA Hazardous Waste Management Online Course (RCRA 300) is now live! Get ready for big updates to RCRA that will have a major impact on the way your site manages hazardous waste. Train anytime, anywhere—from work, from home, from the road, at night, and even on weekends. 
 

Tags: Atlanta, Georgia, hazardous waste, new rules, RCRA