&EPA
United
Environmental Protection
Agency
December 2004
EPA530-F-05-001
www.epa.gov/osw
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is improving and modernizing the
hazardous waste tracking system by standardizing the Uniform Hazardous Waste
Mamfest form. Standardizing the form streamlines the waste handling process,
helps interstate commerce, and reduces regulatory paperwork. A streamlined
process will save waste handlers and regulators time and money, while guarantee-
ing the continued, safe management of hazardous waste. EPA estimates the annual
national burden reduction to be between $12 and $ 20 million.
Action
The hazardous waste Manifest forms:
* Are standardized in content and appearance.
• Enhance reporting of international waste shipments (imports and exports).
« Are available from a wide range of sources.
Clarify processing procedures for rej ected waste shipments and shipment
container resi dues.
The new system reduces or eliminates many of the variabilities in state manifest
requirements. For example, the new Manifest form uses checkboxes and adds fields to
better track "difficult" shipments, such as container resi dues, rejected wastes, and
transboundary shipments.
The standard Manifest forms will be printed according to a precise specification to
assure uniformity. Each form will carry a unique preprinted manifest tracking number. This
change allows waste handlers with multi-state operations to register and use their own
manifest forms everywhere they do business. EPA still has oversight of the registration
process. Recordkeeping, reporting requirements, and other changes streamline and vastly
improve hazardous waste tracking. The same Manifest form will be used by every
jurisdiction beginningin 18 months.
Background
For more than 20 years, hazardous waste generators and transporters have been
required to use the Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest system. The Manifest form
provides a complete paper trail of a waste's progress from a generator through treatment,
storage, and disposal. It identifies the type and quantity of the hazardous waste being
shipped, and contains a generator's certification of waste minimization practices. Each
waste handler must return a copy of the Manifest to the generator. A missing form alerts a
generator to investigate and find the waste. If the waste cannot be found, then the generator
notifies either EPA or the state agency for appropriate acti on.
-------
In May 2001, the Agency al so proposed to make the manifest tracking form
electronic. The Agency is working to resolve significanttechnological issues that arose
during the comment period. Consequently, the e-manifest will be addressed in a future rule.
The e-manifest remains a high priority for the Agency because it accounts for much of the
annual burden reduction cost savings estimated for the original proposed rule (67 to 79
percent), and because it will greatly improve the effectiveness of hazardous waste tracking.
The regulations for hazardous waste generators and transporters in 40 CFR Parts
262-263 are affected by this proposal. Related requirements for owners and operators of
treatment, storage, and disposal facilities in Parts 264-265 are also affected, alongwith
state requirements in Part 271.
Impact
More than 139,000 businesses in approximately 45 industries will receive regulatory
relief from this rule. These businesses ship approximately 12 million tons of hazardous
wastes annually, and use between 2 and 5 million Hazardous Waste Manifests. In addition,
atleast34 state governments reportedly spend between $6 and $3 7 million ayearto
admini ster the hazardous waste manifest system. EPA estimates the annual change in
paperwork burden resulting from the this rule will save states and industry between $ 12
and $20 million.
For
Please visitus on the Internetat: or at: .
------- |