PharmE^® News Alert

EPA Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule Effective Federally May 30, 2017

(Brookfield, WI – August 15, 2017) PharmEcology Services, WM Sustainability Services

The EPA Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule became effective federally May 30, 2017. It is therefore active in Iowa and Alaska, two states that operate under federal EPA authority. The States of Pennsylvania and New Jersey have adopted it by reference. All other states will be adopting it either by July 1, 2018 if only regulatory changes are required, or by July 1, 2019 if statutory changes are required. The rule includes over 60 changes, some of which are more stringent, and must be adopted, and others that allow more flexibility and may or may not be adopted by each state. One important change is that Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CESQGs) will now be called Very Small Quantity Generators (VSQGs), which is already the case in some states. Federally, VSQGs will be able to send their hazardous waste to Large Quantity Generators (LQGs) under the same corporate control for consolidation. A more stringent requirement is the requirement of SQGs and LQGs to include the type and hazard, such as “flammable,” “toxic,” etc., on satellite accumulation and shipping containers and either waste codes or a barcode containing that information on the shipping container. For more information on the contents of the Final Rule, please visit https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/fact-sheet-about-hazardous-waste-generator-improvements-final-rule. To determine in which states the rule is active, please visit https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/where-hazardous-waste-generator-improvements-rule-effect. For assistance in identifying and managing your hazardous pharmaceutical waste, please contact us at info@pharmecology.com or at 877-247-7430.

• Posted: August 15, 2017