Search

EPA Reports Progress on Hazardous Waste E-Manifests

Posted on 9/29/2015 by James Griffin

On October 5, 2012, President Obama signed the Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Establishment Act into law. The Act requires EPA to establish and implement an IT system to track hazardous waste shipments in lieu of the current paper-based system. Once developed, the system will allow users to create and transmit manifests electronically.

However, pursuant to the Act, any e-Manifest approach adopted by regulation will be voluntary; paper manifest and continuation sheet forms would remain available to those entities that prefer this method.

On February 7, 2014, at 79 FR 7518, EPA established a regulatory foundation for phasing out paper manifests. It goes without saying that EPA must first develop an e-Manifest system before generators, transporters, and disposal facilities can use it. Under the law, EPA must establish an e-Manifest system no later than October 2015. As of September 24, 2015, the Agency hasn't completed a system, but has made progress toward one.

Employees prepare electronic hazmat shipping papers


EPA's Progress Toward E-Manifests

On February 18, 2015, at 80 FR 8643, EPA solicited nominations for a "Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Advisory Board." Representing State waste management agencies, information technology professionals, and transporters and managers of hazardous waste, the Board will advise EPA on the operations of the e-Manifest System. EPA expects the Board to begin operations by October 2015.

EPA began the process of soliciting bids from vendors to establish an e-Manifest system earlier this year, as shown on the FedBizOpps.gov website on May 19, 2015. Bids were due in by June 3, 2015.

While the Agency won't finalize a fee schedule until it has the e-Manifest system in place, EPA expects to propose a fee schedule for the e-Manifest system in May 2016 and finalize it November 2017.

US Department of Transportation Hazmat E-Shipping Papers

US DOT ran its own pilot program on electronic hazmat shipping papers, as required under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, or MAP 21. DOT released two information papers regarding its pilot program, one for shippers and carriers and one for emergency response information providers and first responders.

DOT issued two public notices and requests for information in July and November of 2013, and outlined its plans for an electronic hazard communication to Congress in September 2014. Per this recent status update from PHMSA, the pilot programs ran from February through April 2015. PHMSA anticipates releasing a report to Congress by October 1, 2015.

Hazmat Shipper and Hazardous Waste Personnel Training

Lion's 2016 workshops are now open for registration! Check out the catalog now for convenient, interactive workshops that help you navigate the latest US DOT, IATA, and IMO hazmat shipping rules, and State and Federal hazardous waste standards. All workshops are presented by an expert Lion instructor and include 365 days of regulatory support through Lion Membership. Register today!

Tags: EPA, hazardous waste, manifest, new rules

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

I chose Lion's online webinar because it is simple, effective, and easily accessible.

Jeremy Bost

Environmental Health & Safety Technician

I have over 26 years of environmental compliance experience, and it has been some time since I have attended an environmental regulations workshop. I attended this course as preparation for EHS Audits for my six plants, and it was exactly what I was looking for.

Frank Sizemore

Director of Regulatory Affairs

The instructor was very knowledgeable and provided pertinent information above and beyond the questions that were asked.

Johnny Barton

Logistics Coordinator

I think LION does an excellent job of any training they do. Materials provided are very useful to my day-to-day work activities.

Pamela Embody

EHS Specialist

I used the IT support number available and my issue was resolved within a few minutes. I don't see anything that could have made it better.

Danny Province

EHS Professional

Our instructor was very dynamic and kept everyone's interest. Hazmat shipping can be a dry, complicated topic but I was engaged the entire time.

Kimberly Arnao

Senior Director of EH&S

Lion's online training is more comprehensive, has better slides, and is a superior training experience than what I would get from other trainers.

Robert Brenner

District Environmental Manager

I have been to other training companies, but Lion’s material is much better and easier to understand.

Mark Abell

Regional Manager

Lion was very extensive. There was a lot of things that were covered that were actually pertaining to what I do and work with. Great Job. I will be coming back in three years!

Tony Petrik

Hazmat Shipping Professional

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

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Use this guide to spot which tanks and substances are regulated under EPA's Underground Storage Tank program, and which are excluded as of October 2018.

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.