EPA Proposes New Hazardous Waste Export/Import Rule
Update (10/19/15): EPA's Hazardous Waste Export-Import Revisions proposed Rule appeared in the Federal Register on October 19, 2015.
On September 24, US EPA signed a proposed rule to update the requirements for import and export shipments of hazardous waste. A pre-publication version of the proposed hazardous waste rulemaking can be found here. According to the pre-publication version of the rule, the new standards aim to:
The rule will affect businesses that ship RCRA-regulated hazardous wastes, universal wastes, and special wastes such as batteries to a different country for recycling, reclamation, or disposal.
Current RCRA Export Rules
To export hazardous waste under the current requirements, the exporter must:
The OECD, for its part, has revised its hazardous waste trans-boundary shipping standards many times since 1992. Some of these revisions have been adopted by US EPA into the RCRA hazardous waste requirements in the past.
Live, Interactive RCRA Training
Meet your annual RCRA training mandate and get up to speed on new and changing hazardous waste rules at the Hazardous/Toxic Waste Management Workshop. Presented in cities nationwide, this nationally trusted two-day workshop gives hazardous waste managers and personnel the chance to collaborate, discuss compliance challenges, and gain a fuller understanding of the RCRA hazardous waste generator rules.
On September 24, US EPA signed a proposed rule to update the requirements for import and export shipments of hazardous waste. A pre-publication version of the proposed hazardous waste rulemaking can be found here. According to the pre-publication version of the rule, the new standards aim to:
- Harmonize hazardous waste import-export requirements with rules for shipping between OECD nations;
- Enable electronic submittal of export- and import-related documents; and
- Enable electronic validation of consent in the Automated Export System (AES) for RCRA consent requirements.
The rule will affect businesses that ship RCRA-regulated hazardous wastes, universal wastes, and special wastes such as batteries to a different country for recycling, reclamation, or disposal.
Current RCRA Export Rules
To export hazardous waste under the current requirements, the exporter must:
- Submit an export notice to EPA;
- Receive EPA’s Acknowledgement of Consent (AOC) letter documenting consent by the country of import and any countries of transit;
- Meet RCRA manifest-related requirements for export shipments; and
- Meet unique reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
The OECD, for its part, has revised its hazardous waste trans-boundary shipping standards many times since 1992. Some of these revisions have been adopted by US EPA into the RCRA hazardous waste requirements in the past.
Live, Interactive RCRA Training
Meet your annual RCRA training mandate and get up to speed on new and changing hazardous waste rules at the Hazardous/Toxic Waste Management Workshop. Presented in cities nationwide, this nationally trusted two-day workshop gives hazardous waste managers and personnel the chance to collaborate, discuss compliance challenges, and gain a fuller understanding of the RCRA hazardous waste generator rules.
Tags: EPA, hazardous waste, new rules, RCRA
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