Earlier this month, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule authorizing the use of electronic manifests to track the off-site shipment of hazardous wastes under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The rule will streamline the current process, which requires paper manifests, resulting in an estimated savings of 300,000 to 700,000 hours and $75 million by 160,000 regulated entities in 45 industries. While the rule establishes the legal and policy framework for using electronic manifests, additional rulemaking will be required to develop the details of the system, including its fee structure and compliance dates. EPA intends to work with stakeholders to develop these aspects. The final rule becomes effective August 6, 2014.
For more information on EPA’s electronic manifest program, click here.
