EPA Moves Forward with e-Manifest Standards

On February 7, 2014, the US EPA established a new set of rules (79 FR 7518) for the e-manifest system. This system is meant to provide an alternative method of tracking hazardous waste shipments from generators to treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs).

While the EPA has a long-term goal of tracking hazardous waste electronically, the e-manifest system will coexist with paper manifests for years to come. Today, the e-manifest rule is still in its infancy since there are parts of how this new rule would be implemented that remain unfinished.

The Rule takes effect on August 6, 2014. That said, use of the e-Manifest will not be permissible until the EPA actually creates the IT system for it. The system is under construction, and the date of finalization has not been determined. Once determined, there are just a few conditions that would have to be met in order for the system to work. However, having a working e-manifest system in place won’t mean that paper documents will go away.

Hazmat Shipping Papers (DOT/49 CFR) 

In order to make use of the e-manifest, all waste handlers, that is, the generator, transporter, and TSDF, would need to participate in the e-manifest system. However, the generator would still need to provide a paper copy of the manifest to the initial transporter of the hazardous waste. In other words, the DOT will not recognize the electronic copy of the manifest to be the sole shipping paper.

e-Manifest’s Effect on Other RCRA Requirements

The e-Manifest rulemaking will not impact other reporting and recordkeeping requirements under RCRA. LDR notices and certifications, exception reports, export acknowledgments, discrepancy reports, and notifications of waste activity will continue to be recorded and submitted on paper documents for the foreseeable future.

Electronic Signatures on e-Manifests 

Since the e-manifest IT system has yet to be created, another aspect of the e-manifest that remains uncertain is the requirement of an “electronic signature.” The February 7 rulemaking states that an electronic signature will be required to authorize the transfer of hazardous wastes from one handler to the next. The EPA stated in the proposed rule’s preamble that the signature validation method will be governed by the definition of “valid signature” under the Agency’s Cross-Media Electronic Reporting Regulation at 40 CFR 3. 

Using the e-Manifest for State Hazardous Waste

When the generator’s state or the destination state of a hazardous waste shipment requires the use of the manifest, generators may use the e-manifest system as long as all the waste handlers are participating in the e-manifest system. Waste handlers have to keep in mind that users of the e-manifest system may opt out and return to the original paper system at any time.

Finally, the EPA plans to establish a fee system for persons using the e-manifest. The actual fee structure has yet to be established. Future rulemakings are on the horizon, but until then, some elements of the new system remain unclear.
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Tags: DOT, hazardous waste, manifests, new rules, RCRA