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Statement of Need: The Agency is considering revising the RCRA manifest system because of the amount of paperwork burden associated with the manifest. Reduction in paperwork burden is part of the Administration?s Regulatory Reinvention goal of cutting government red tape. The Agency wants to further standardize the manifest program across States by introducing a more uniform manifest tracking form. The chief goal of the manifest system is to facilitate the safe transportation of offsite shipments of hazardous waste to appropriate RCRA management facilities. Furthermore, the manifest promotes accountability throughout the generation, transportation, and disposal cycle of a hazardous waste shipment; and the manifest also provides essential hazard information to handlers and emergency responders.

Summary of the Legal Basis: RCRA section 3002(a)(5) authorizes EPA to issue regulations applicable to generators of hazardous waste regarding the use of a manifest system to describe waste, its origin, and its routing to ensure waste arrives at designated off-site facilities. RCRA sections 3003 and 3004 authorize EPA to issue regulations applicable to transportors of hazardous waste and to treatment, storage, and disposal facilities regarding compliance with the manifest system.

Alternatives: The Agency has looked at two alternatives to revising the manifest system. The first alternative is to revise and standardize the manifest form itself. The second alternative is to introduce the option of automated technologies (electronic commerce) to reduce paperwork and make the manifest system more efficient. The Agency is considering combining these alternatives in a proposed rule.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: EPA is considering actions that should impose minimal costs on the regulated industry, since the Agency is evaluating a reduction in the overall number of elements on the manifest form. Additionally, greater uniformity in data required across the United States would benefit waste handlers by reducing the burden associated with obtaining multiple manifests from different States, as well as being aware of various uses of optional fields. Other hazardous waste handlers would benefit from having the option to use automation to complete, send, receive, and store manifest information. Some States may have to modify their data systems in response to changes in the manifest form. The Agency is currently conducting an analysis to determine the costs and benefits of revisions to the manifest system.

Risks: This proposed rule is intended to reduce the paperwork burden of the manifest on the public without reducing protectiveness of human health or the environment.