Search

EPA Takes No Action on RCRA Corrosives Challenge

Posted on 4/11/2016 by Roger Marks

A few years ago, the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) challenged US EPA to tighten its standard for identifying corrosive materials under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste rules. One year ago, a motion was reached that required US EPA to review its RCRA standard for corrosive hazardous wastes and decide if a change was needed.

PEER’s challenge to the corrosivity standard led EPA to consider two major changes to the RCRA hazardous waste rules:
  1. Bring corrosive solids under the scope of RCRA hazardous waste requirements.
  2. Lower the pH threshold for corrosivity from 12.5 to 11.5.
What Did EPA Decide?

In today’s Federal Register, US EPA announced its decision to take no action on the challenge to its rules for corrosive hazardous wastes under RCRA.

Here’s the long and short of it, straight from the Federal Register:

“The Agency’s review of additional materials it identified as relevant to the petition similarly did not demonstrate that any change to the corrosivity characteristic regulation is warranted at this time.”
[81 FR 21295, April 11, 2016]

ph meter for corrosive RCRA waste
Now that the challenge to the RCRA corrosives rules are laid to rest (for now), hazardous waste generators can continue to manage corrosive hazardous wastes under the current RCRA requirements. To read more about what these changes could have meant for hazardous waste generators in the US, read the April 2015 feature EPA May Expand RCRA Classification of Corrosives.

What's Next for PEER?

If PEER wants to continue its challenge to the RCRA corrosives rules, the next likely step would be to question EPA in court under the Administrative Procedure Act. In other words, PEER may claim that EPA did not consult the correct scientific data or follow proper procedure before denying the petition. Depending on how that (possible) court case shakes out, EPA may re-evaluate its RCRA corrsoives rules at a later date.

Stay Up to Speed With New and Changing RCRA Rules

Build a smart, streamlined approach to managing your site’s hazardous waste from cradle to grave under the latest RCRA rules at the Hazardous/Toxic Waste Management Workshop, presented in cities nationwide.

Check the schedule now to see when we’re coming to your area. Get RCRA training trusted since 1977, books and resources that make the regulations easy to read and use, and a Lion Membership for a full year of answers to on-the-job questions, book updates, exclusive alerts and content, and discounts on select Lion products.  

Tags: EPA, hazardous waste, RCRA

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

If I need thorough training or updating, I always use Lion. Lion is always the best in both instruction and materials.

Bryce Parker

EHS Manager

The instructor was excellent. They knew all of the material without having to read from a notepad or computer.

Gary Hartzell

Warehouse Supervisor

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

The price was reasonable, the time to complete the course was manageable, and the flexibility the online training allowed made it easy to complete.

Felicia Rutledge

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Amazing instructor; real-life examples. Lion training gets better every year!

Frank Papandrea

Environmental Manager

I attended training from another provider and learned absolutely nothing. Lion is much better. Hands down.

Nicole Eby

Environmental Specialist

Convenient; I can train when I want, where I want.

Barry Cook

Hazmat Shipping Professional

These are the best commercial course references I have seen (10+ years). Great job!

Ed Grzybowski

EHS & Facility Engineer

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

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

Mark Abell

Regional Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Knowing why TSDFs reject loads of hazardous waste—and the exact steps to follow if it happens—can reduce your anxiety and uncertainty about rejection.

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.