United States Solid Waste and
Environmental Protection Emergency Response EPA/530-F-93-004
Agency (OS-305) June 1993
Office of Solid Waste
&EPA Environmental
Fact Sheet
EPA Revises Test Methods for
Evaluating Solid Waste (SW-846)
This rule amends the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's)
recognized physical and chemical testing methods for identifying and
managing hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA). Primarily, this rule authorizes an updated version
of EPA's main guidance document for RCRA test methods.
Background
Subtitle C of RCRA creates a comprehensive program for the safe
management of solid waste. Among the elements of this program are
criteria for identifying and listing hazardous waste, along with
standards for the storage, treatment, and disposal of those wastes.
In 1980, EPA published the first edition of the guidance document,
SW-846, Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical
Methods, to support the testing requirements associated with the RCRA
Hazardous Waste program. The changes in testing technology demand
that these testing methods be periodically updated. As a result, EPA
published the Second Edition in 1982, and issued two updates in!984
and 1985.
In November, 1986, EPA published the Third Edition of the Test
Methods Manual, and after reviewing comments and questions on it,
issued several technical corrections and announced the Agency's intent
to issue additional analytical test methods. On January 23, 1989, the
Agency proposed to incorporate the Third Edition, along with its first
update, into the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). On February 8,
1990, EPA issued a revised Quality Assurance (QA) Chapter based on
comments received in the 1989 proposal, and requested additional
comments. As a result of comments, the Agency has made final
revisions to the QA Chapter recommending the use of the procedures
in this Chapter.
This rule replaces the 1982 Second Edition, including its two
updates, by incorporating by reference the Third Edition (and its first
update) into the RCRA regulations. Concurrently, EPA is issuing a
proposed second update to the Third Edition.
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Action
The Third Edition of SW-846 is the appropriate testing methodology
reference for all RCRA testing. This rule officially replaces the Second
Edition of Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical
Methods with an updated Thind Edition that offers new and revised
testing methods and procedures. These changes will provide
laboratories with more complete and effective tools for testing and
characterizing hazardous waste, thereby maximizing the protection of
human health and the environment.
In states not authorized to administer the RCRA program, this rule
becomes effective immediately. Authorized states must revise their
regulations accordingly.
For More Information
To order a copy of publication SW-846, Test Methods for Evaluating
Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods, Third Edition, call the U.S.
Government Printing Office at (202) 783-3238. For further information
on the rule, or to order a copy of the Federal Register notice, please call
the RCRA Hotline Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., EST.
RCRA Hotline Phone Numbers
National Toll-Free: (800) 424-9346;
For the Hearing Impaired (TDD): (800) 553-7672
Washington, DC area: (703) 412-9810;
TDD: (703) 412-3323;
Please send all written requests to:
RCRA Information Center (OS-305)
US Environmental Protection Agency
401 M Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20460
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