The Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule is now signed and published in the Federal Register on November 28, 2016. The effective date is May 30, 2017. This leaves hazardous waste generators to sort out how this will affect them, and when.
Immediate Affect of the Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule
The Generator Improvements Rule modified the Federal rules under RCRA and therefore has direct affect on hazardous waste generators located in States that have not been delegated RCRA authority (Iowa and Alaska) and some other areas, including Tribal lands. However, many States have incorporated portions of the RCRA rules by reference into their authorized programs – therefore, in these States revisions to Federal RCRA rules can have an immediate affect on State rules. This can significantly increase the population of hazardous waste generators that will be affected by the Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule s ix months after publication in the FR – likely late May 2017.
For generators located in States that have not incorporated generator requirements by reference, the impact of the rule revision will be uncertain. Rule changes will only become effective when States modify their own hazardous waste generator requires. To add to the uncertainty, States will only be required to modify their rules to incorporate portions of the Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule that are MORE stringent than current rules. Other portions of the new EPA rules that add flexibility, are less stringent, or are incorporate clarifications to the rule would not need to be addressed by States to maintain their authorized programs under RCRA.