Virginia Law

A. General.

1. Any person seeking to add a hazardous waste or a category of hazardous waste to the universal waste regulations of 9VAC20-60-273 and Part XVI (9VAC20-60-1495 et seq.) of this chapter may petition for a regulatory amendment under this part.

2. To be successful, the petitioner shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the director that regulation under the universal waste regulations of 9VAC20-60-273 and Part XVI of this chapter:

a. Is appropriate for the waste or category of waste;

b. Will improve management practices for the waste or category of waste; and

c. Will improve implementation of the hazardous waste program.

The petition shall include the information required by 9VAC20-60-1370 C. The petition should also address as many of the factors listed in subsection B of this section as are appropriate for the waste or category of waste addressed in the petition.

3. The director will grant or deny a petition using the factors listed in subsection B of this section. The decision will be based on the weight of evidence showing that regulation under 9VAC20-60-273 and Part XVI of this chapter is appropriate for the waste or category of waste, will improve management practices for the waste or category of waste, and will improve implementation of the hazardous waste program.

4. The director may request additional information needed to evaluate the merits of the petition.

5. If the director adds new hazardous wastes to the list contained in 9VAC20-60-273 and in Part XVI of these regulations, management of these wastes under the universal waste regulations would only be allowed within the Commonwealth or other states that have added those particular wastes to their regulations. Shipments of such wastes to a state where universal waste standards do not apply to that waste would have to comply with the full hazardous waste requirements of Parts I through XV of this chapter.

B. Factors to consider.

1. The waste or category of waste, as generated by a wide variety of generators, is listed in Subpart D of 40 CFR Part 261, or (if not listed) a proportion of the waste stream exhibits one or more characteristics of hazardous waste identified in Subpart C of 40 CFR Part 261. (When a characteristic waste is added to the universal waste regulations of 9VAC20-60-273 and Part XVI of this chapter by using a generic name to identify the waste category (e.g., batteries), the definition of universal waste will be amended to include only the hazardous waste portion of the waste category (e.g., hazardous waste batteries). Thus, only the portion of the waste stream that does exhibit one or more characteristics (i.e., is hazardous waste) is subject to the universal waste regulations of 9VAC20-60-273 and Part XVI of this chapter;

2. The waste or category of waste is not exclusive to a specific industry or group of industries, is commonly generated by a wide variety of types of establishments (including, for example, households, retail and commercial businesses, office complexes, very small quantity generators, small businesses, government organizations, as well as large industrial facilities);

3. The waste or category of waste is generated by a large number of generators (e.g., more than 1,000 nationally) and is frequently generated in relatively small quantities by each generator;

4. Systems to be used for collecting the waste or category of waste (including packaging, marking, and labeling practices) would ensure close stewardship of the waste;

5. The risk posed by the waste or category of waste during accumulation and transport is relatively low compared to other hazardous wastes, and specific management standards proposed or referenced by the petitioner (e.g., waste management requirements appropriate to be added to 9VAC20-60-273 or Part XVI of this chapter; and applicable requirements of the Regulations Governing the Transportation of Hazardous Materials, 9VAC20-110) would be protective of human health and the environment during accumulation and transport;

6. Regulation of the waste or category of waste under 9VAC20-60-273 will increase the likelihood that the waste will be diverted from nonhazardous waste management systems (e.g., the municipal waste stream, nonhazardous industrial or commercial waste stream, municipal sewer or stormwater systems) to recycling, treatment, or disposal in compliance with the Virginia Hazardous Waste Management Regulations;

7. Regulation of the waste or category of waste under 9VAC20-60-273 will improve implementation of and compliance with the hazardous waste regulatory program; and

8. Such other factors as may be appropriate.