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EPA/SWER

RIN: 2050-AG39

Publication ID: Spring 2008

Title: Amendment to the Universal Waste Rule: Addition of Pharmaceuticals
Abstract: This action will propose adding hazardous pharmaceutical wastes to the universal waste system. This incorporation is appropriate because these wastes are produced by a various and vast community of generators and are often mismanaged due to health care workers and retail chain employees being unfamiliar with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act regulations. Expansion of the universal waste system to include hazardous pharmaceutical wastes will protect public health and the environment by providing a more streamlined but effective waste management system. Due to the simplified requirements, this action will also provide regulatory relief to health care facilities, retail pharmacies, veterinary clinics and any other entities that generate hazardous pharmaceutical wastes. The inclusion of hazardous pharmaceutical wastes in the universal waste rule is expected to provide relief in the management of P-listed pharmaceuticals by simplifying current requirements of large quantity generators. Also, we anticipate that the rule will encourage health care personnel to manage other pharmaceutical wastes as universal wastes, particularly wastes that are not regulated as hazardous but which nonetheless pose hazards. Finally, the addition of hazardous pharmaceutical wastes to the rule will facilitate pharmaceutical take-back programs so that these wastes can be properly managed.
Agency: Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)	Priority: Other Significant
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage
Major: No	Unfunded Mandates: No
CFR Citation: 40 CFR 273
Legal Authority: 42 USC 6912(a) 42 USC 6921 42 USC 6922 42 USC 6923 42 USC 6924 42 USC 6925 42 USC 6926 42 USC 6927 42 USC 6930 42 USC 6937

Legal Deadline: None

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
NPRM	12/00/2008

Additional Information: SAN No. 5127;
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No	Government Levels Affected: Local, State
Small Entities Affected: No	Federalism: No
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No
Agency Contact: Lisa Lauer Environmental Protection Agency Solid Waste and Emergency Response 5304P, Washington, DC 20460 Phone:703 308-7418 Fax:703 308-0514 Email: Lauer.Lisa@epa.gov Meg McCarthy Environmental Protection Agency Solid Waste and Emergency Response 5304P, Washington, DC 20460 Phone:703 308-8653 Fax:703 308-0514 Email: mccarthy.meg@epa.gov