2016-27431: Internet Posting of and Confidentiality Determinations for Hazardous Waste Export and Import Documents

Summary

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is amending existing regulations regarding the export and import of hazardous wastes from and into the United States. EPA is making these changes to improve protection of public health with respect to hazardous wastes by ensuring public accessibility and transparency of export and import documentation. Specifically, the proposed revisions of the existing regulations will require exporters of hazardous waste and receiving facilities recycling or disposing hazardous waste from foreign sources to maintain a single publicly accessible Web site ("Export/Import Web site") to which documents can be posted regarding the confirmation of receipt and confirmation of completed recovery or disposal of individual hazardous waste import and export shipments. These proposed changes will improve information on the movement and disposition of hazardous wastes, and will enable interested members of the community and the government to benefit from the provision of publicly accessible data to better monitor proper compliance with EPA's hazardous waste regulations and help ensure that hazardous waste import and export shipments are properly received and managed. The proposed internet posting requirements are planned for the interim period prior to the electronic import-export reporting compliance date when electronic submittal to EPA of confirmations of receipt and completed recovery or disposal for hazardous waste shipments will be required. EPA also proposes a confidentiality determination to exclude documents related to the export, import, and transit of hazardous waste and export of excluded CRTs from confidential business information (CBI) claims.

The agency’s own summary, as published.

What this changes

Amends 5 parts of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.

• 40 CFR 260 Hazardous Waste Management System: General
• 40 CFR 262 Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste
• 40 CFR 264 Standards for Owners and Operators of Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities
• 40 CFR 265 Interim Status Standards for Owners and Operators of Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facilities
• 40 CFR 267 Standards for Owners and Operators of Hazardous Waste Facilities Operating Under a Standardized Permit