[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 150 (Friday, August 5, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45508-45522]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-15437]



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Part V





Environmental Protection Agency





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40 CFR Parts 260, 261 et al.



Hazardous Waste Management System; Modification of the Hazardous Waste 
Program; Mercury Containing Equipment; Final Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 150 / Friday, August 5, 2005 / Rules 
and Regulations  

[[Page 45508]]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

40 CFR Parts 260, 261, 264, 265, 268, 270, and 273

[RCRA-2004-0012; FRL-7948-1]
RIN 2050-AE52


Hazardous Waste Management System; Modification of the Hazardous 
Waste Program; Mercury Containing Equipment

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: Today's final rule adds mercury-containing equipment to the 
federal list of universal wastes regulated under the Resource 
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste regulations. 
Handlers of universal wastes are subject to less stringent standards 
for storing, transporting, and collecting these wastes. EPA has 
concluded that regulating spent mercury-containing equipment as a 
universal waste will lead to better management of this equipment and 
will facilitate compliance with hazardous waste requirements.

DATES: This final rule is effective on August 5, 2005.

ADDRESSES: EPA has established a docket for this action under Docket ID 
No. RCRA-2004-0012. All documents in the docket are listed in the 
EDOCKET index at http://www.epa.gov/edocket. Although listed in the 
index, some information is not publicly available, i.e., CBI or other 
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other 
material, such as copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet 
and will be publicly available only in hard copy form. Publicly 
available materials are available either electronically in EDOCKET, or 
in hard copy at the HQ EPA Docket Center, RCRA Docket, EPA/DC, EPA 
West, Room B102, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The 
Public Reading Room is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, excluding legal holidays. The telephone number for the Public 
Reading Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the RCRA 
Docket is (202) 566-0270.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathy Blanton, Office of Solid Waste 
(5304W), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Ariel Rios Building, 
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20460, telephone number: 
(703) 605-0761; fax number: (703) 308-0514; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

a. General Information

1. Does This Rule Apply to Me?

    This rule affects persons who generate, transport, treat, recycle, 
or dispose of mercury containing equipment (MCE), unless those persons 
are households or conditionally exempt small quantity generators 
(CESQGs). If you have any questions about the applicability of this 
rule, consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Preamble Outline

I. Statutory Authority
II. List of Abbreviations and Acronyms
III. Background
    a. What is Mercury-Containing Equipment?
    b. Previous Regulations for Mercury-Containing Equipment
    c. Universal Waste Rule
    d. Proposed Rule
IV. Rationale for Including Mercury-Containing Equipment in the 
Scope of the Universal Waste Rule
    a. Factors for Inclusion in the Universal Waste Rule
    b. Effect of Designation as a Universal Waste
    c. Expected Changes in Management of Mercury-Containing 
Equipment
V. Discussion of Final Rule
    a. Effective Date
    b. Waste Covered by Final Rule
    c. Management Requirements for Spent Mercury-Containing 
Equipment
    1. Summary of Requirements
    2. Requirements for Small and Large Quantity Handlers
    3. Requirements for Transporters
    4. Requirements for Destination Facilities
    5. Effect of Today's Rule on Household Wastes and Conditionally 
Exempt Small Quantity Generators
    6. Land Disposal Restriction Requirements
IV. Discussion of Comments Received in Response to Proposed 
Rulemaking and the Agency's Responses
    a. Regarding the Addition of Mercury-Containing Equipment to the 
Universal Waste Rule
    b. Regarding the Universal Waste Notification Requirement
VII. State Authority
    a. Applicability of Rule in Authorized States
    b. Effect on State Authorization
    c. Interstate Transport
VIII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

I. Statutory Authority

    These regulations are promulgated under the authority of sections 
2002(a), 3001, 3002, 3004, and 3006 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act of 
1970, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 
(RCRA), and as amended by the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 
1984 (HSWA), 42 U.S.C. 6921(a), 6921, 6922, 6924, and 6926.

II. List of Abbreviations and Acronyms

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Acronym                             Definition
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CESQG............................  Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity
                                    Generator.
CFR..............................  Code of Federal Regulations.
DOT..............................  Department of Transportation.
HSWA.............................  Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments
                                    of 1984.
ICR..............................  Information Collection Request.
LDR..............................  Land Disposal Restriction.
LQG..............................  Large Quantity Generator.
LQHUW............................  Large Quantity Handler of Universal
                                    Waste.
NTTAA............................  National Technology Transfer and
                                    Advancement Act of 1995.
OMB..............................  Office of Management and Budget.
RCRA.............................  Resource Conservation and Recovery
                                    Act.
SIC..............................  Standard Industry Code.
SQG..............................  Small Quantity Generator.
SQHUW............................  Small Quantity Handler of Universal
                                    Waste.
TC...............................  Toxicity Characteristic.
TCLP.............................  Toxicity Characteristic Leaching
                                    Procedure.
TSDF.............................  Treatment, Storage, and Disposal
                                    Facility.
UMRA.............................  Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.
U.S.C............................  United States Code.
USWAG............................  Utilities Solid Waste Activities
                                    Group.
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III. Background

a. What Is Mercury-Containing Equipment?

    Mercury-containing equipment (MCE) consists of devices, items, or 
articles that contain varying amounts of elemental mercury that is 
integral to their functions, including several types of instruments 
that are used throughout the electric utility industry and other 
industries, municipalities, and households. Some commonly recognized 
devices are thermostats, barometers, manometers, and mercury switches, 
such as light switches in automobiles. This definition does not include 
mercury waste that is generated as a by-product through the process of 
manufacturing or treatment.

b. Previous Regulations for Mercury-Containing Equipment

    Any person who generates a solid waste, as defined in 40 CFR 261.2, 
must determine whether or not the solid waste is a hazardous waste. The 
waste may be hazardous either because it is listed as a hazardous waste 
in subpart D of 40 CFR part 261 or because it exhibits one or more of 
the characteristics of hazardous waste, as provided in subpart C of 40 
CFR part 261.
    Mercury-containing equipment is likely to be a hazardous waste when 
disposed of or reclaimed because it exhibits the toxicity 
characteristic (TC)

[[Page 45509]]

for mercury. Mercury-containing equipment that is a hazardous waste is 
referred to in this preamble as ``spent mercury-containing equipment'' 
or ``spent MCE.'' Before today's rulemaking, many generators of spent 
mercury-containing equipment identified or listed as a hazardous waste 
were subject to the full RCRA subtitle C hazardous waste management 
requirements. Specifically, generators were subject to all applicable 
requirements of 40 CFR parts 260 through 268, including the on-site 
management, pre-transport, and manifesting requirements of part 262.
    However, not all generators of spent mercury-containing equipment 
have had to manage it as a hazardous waste or be subject to the full 
set of RCRA hazardous waste requirements. Under RCRA subtitle C, there 
are different requirements for generators of hazardous waste depending 
on the amount of hazardous waste they generate in a calendar month. In 
addition, as discussed below, certain spent mercury-containing 
equipment are already subject to the universal waste rule.
    Specifically, generators of more than 1,000 kilograms of hazardous 
waste in a month (considered large quantity generators (LQGs)) are 
required to comply fully with the federal hazardous waste regulations. 
On the other hand, generators of more than 100 kilograms but less than 
1,000 kilograms of hazardous waste in a calendar month (considered 
small quantity generators (SQGs)) are subject to the RCRA hazardous 
waste management standards, but are allowed to comply with certain 
reduced regulatory requirements (see 40 CFR 262.34(d), (e), and (f)). 
In addition, under 40 CFR 261.5, conditionally-exempt small quantity 
generators (CESQGs), defined as facilities that generate less than 100 
kilograms of hazardous waste in a calendar month, are not subject to 
the RCRA subtitle C hazardous waste management standards, provided they 
send their waste to a municipal solid waste landfill or non-municipal 
nonhazardous waste facility approved by the state for the management of 
CESQG wastes. Finally, households that generate spent mercury-
containing equipment are exempt from the federal hazardous waste 
management requirements under the household hazardous waste exemption 
in 40 CFR 261.4(b)(1).

c. Universal Waste Rule

    In 1995, EPA promulgated the universal waste rule (60 FR 25492, May 
11, 1995) to establish a streamlined hazardous waste management system 
for widely generated hazardous wastes as a way to encourage 
environmentally sound collection and proper management of the wastes 
within the system. Hazardous waste batteries, certain hazardous waste 
pesticides, mercury-containing thermostats, and hazardous waste lamps 
are already included on the federal list of universal wastes.
    Handlers and transporters who generate or manage items designated 
as a universal waste are subject to the management standards under 40 
CFR part 273, rather than the full RCRA subtitle C regulations. 
Handlers include universal waste generators and collection facilities. 
The regulations distinguish between ``large quantity handlers of 
universal waste'' (those who handle more than 5,000 kilograms of total 
universal waste at one time) and ``small quantity handlers of universal 
waste'' (those who handle 5,000 kilograms or less of universal waste at 
one time). The 5,000 kilogram accumulation criterion applies to the 
quantity of all universal wastes accumulated. The streamlined standards 
include requirements for storage, labeling and marking, preparing the 
waste for shipment off site, employee training, response to releases, 
and notification.
    Transporters of universal waste are also subject to less stringent 
requirements than the full subtitle C hazardous waste transportation 
regulations. The primary difference between the universal waste 
transporter requirements and the subtitle C transportation requirements 
is that no manifest is required for transport of universal waste. The 
details of the universal waste management standards for both handlers 
and transporters will be addressed later in this preamble.
    Under the universal waste rule, destination facilities are those 
facilities that treat, store, dispose, or recycle universal wastes. 
Universal waste destination facilities are subject to all currently 
applicable requirements for hazardous waste treatment, storage, and 
disposal facilities (TSDFs) and must receive a RCRA permit for such 
activities. Hazardous waste recycling facilities that do not store 
hazardous wastes prior to recycling may be exempt from permitting under 
the federal regulations (40 CFR 261.6(c)(2)).
    Finally, some states are authorized to add wastes that are not 
federal universal wastes to their lists of universal wastes. Therefore, 
in some states, spent mercury-containing equipment may already be 
regulated as a universal waste.

d. Proposed Rule

    On June 12, 2002 (67 FR 40508), EPA proposed to add spent mercury-
containing equipment to the federal list of universal waste.\1\ EPA 
believes that adding these materials to the universal waste rule will 
facilitate their collection and will reduce the amount of mercury 
reaching municipal landfills and incinerators.
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    \1\ In the same Federal Register notice, EPA proposed to 
conditionally exclude cathode ray tubes (CRTs) from the definition 
of solid waste. The CRT proposal will be addressed in a separate 
rulemaking package.
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    Mercury-containing equipment, other than mercury thermostats, was 
not included in the 1995 universal waste rule because EPA felt that it 
did not have sufficient information to include all spent mercury-
containing equipment in the rulemaking. The Agency decided to begin 
implementation of its new universal waste program with a limited number 
of waste types.
    However, EPA stated in the preamble to the universal waste final 
rule that it would welcome a petition to add a broad category of 
mercury-containing equipment to the universal waste rule, and 
specifically asked for views defining such a category of waste, 
information on the amounts of mercury contained in such devices, and 
information on the construction of such devices (60 FR 25508).
    On October 11, 1996, the Utility Solid Waste Activities Group 
(USWAG), the Edison Electric Institute, the American Public Power 
Association, and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association 
submitted a rulemaking petition to add mercury-containing equipment to 
the universal waste program. The petition explained that spent mercury-
containing equipment is well-suited for the universal waste rule 
because it meets the factors that EPA laid out in the original 
universal waste rule for wastes that warrant inclusion into the 
program, particularly the wide-spread uses of MCE and the potential for 
the universal waste program to divert waste from the municipal waste 
stream into hazardous waste management. The petition also provided EPA 
with some of the information the Agency needed to evaluate spent MCE 
for inclusion into the program, as explained in the proposal.
    The Agency received a number of comments in response to its 
proposal to add spent mercury-containing equipment to the list of 
universal wastes. Most commenters supported the proposal, though some 
had comments or questions on some of the details. The more significant 
comments on this

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proposal are addressed later in this preamble, but all are addressed in 
background documents for today's final rule, which are in the docket.

IV. Rationale for Including Spent Mercury-Containing Equipment in the 
Scope of the Universal Waste Rule

a. Factors for Inclusion in the Universal Waste Rule

    EPA is adding spent mercury-containing equipment to the universal 
waste rule today because it believes this waste meets the factors that 
describe waste that is appropriate for management under the streamlined 
universal waste system. There are numerous and varied generators of 
spent MCE, and MCE is generated sporadically. Adding MCE to the 
universal waste rule simplifies handling and disposal of the equipment 
for generators, while ensuring that spent MCE is sent to the 
appropriate destination facilities, where it will be managed as a 
hazardous waste with all applicable subtitle C requirements.
    The universal waste regulations include eight factors to consider 
in evaluating whether a waste is appropriate for inclusion in the 
universal waste rule. These factors, codified at 40 CFR 273.81, are to 
be used to determine whether regulating a particular hazardous waste 
under the streamlined standards would improve overall management of the 
waste and, therefore, whether the waste is a good candidate for the 
universal waste rule.
    As the Agency noted in the preamble to the final universal waste 
rule (60 FR 25513), not every factor must be met for a waste to be 
appropriately regulated under the universal waste system. However, 
consideration of all the factors should result in a conclusion that 
regulating a particular hazardous waste under 40 CFR part 273 will 
improve waste management.
    EPA has examined spent mercury-containing equipment using the 
criteria in section 273.81, and has considered the information 
submitted in the October 11, 1996 rulemaking petition, as well as the 
public comments submitted in response to the proposed rule. The Agency 
has determined that, on balance, these wastes are appropriate for 
inclusion onto the federal list of universal wastes for management 
under part 273. EPA believes that adding spent MCE to the universal 
waste rule will make collection and transportation of this waste to an 
appropriate facility easier and, therefore, will reduce the amount of 
mercury being released into the environment.
    The results of the Agency's evaluation of these wastes using the 
universal waste factors are described below--further details on the use 
of mercury-containing equipment can be found in the economic analysis 
to this rulemaking, available in the docket: \2\
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    \2\ The eighth factor, ``Such other factors as may be 
appropriate,'' is not discussed here.
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1. The Waste, as Generated by a Wide Variety of Generators, Should Be a 
Listed or Characteristic Hazardous Waste (40 CFR 273.81(a))
    Some spent mercury-containing equipment contains a few grams of 
mercury, whereas larger articles, items, or devices contain much more 
mercury. Many of these pieces of equipment would fail the toxicity 
characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) toxicity level for mercury of 
0.2 mg per liter and are therefore classified as a D009 characteristic 
hazardous waste.\3\
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    \3\ The TCLP is a laboratory test designed to simulate leaching 
from a sanitary landfill, and, therefore, identify wastes likely to 
leach hazardous concentrations of particular toxic constituents into 
the ground water. If a sample of the test leachate contains a 
contaminant appearing in 40 CFR 261.24's Table 1 at a level higher 
than the regulatory level given in that table, the waste is 
hazardous for the toxicity characteristic.
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2. The Waste, or Category of Waste, Should Not Be Exclusive to a 
Particular Industry or Group of Industries, But Generated by a Wide 
Variety of Establishments (40 CFR 273.81(b))
    Spent mercury-containing equipment is generated by a variety of 
industries or groups of industries. Electric and gas utilities generate 
the greatest amount of this waste, but mercury-containing equipment is 
used to regulate pressure and temperature or to conduct electricity in 
switches or regulators in many other fields, for example, medicine, 
farming, and automobile manufacture. Generators of spent mercury-
containing equipment, therefore, are from a wide range of sectors, from 
utilities to manufacturers, commercial establishments, universities, 
hospitals, and households.
3. The Waste Should Be Generated by a Large Number of Generators and 
Generated Frequently, But in Relatively Small Quantities (40 CFR 
273.81(c))
    Spent mercury-containing equipment is generated by a large number 
of generators and generator sites throughout different industries. Most 
facilities generate spent MCE sporadically because of the frequent, but 
unpredictable, nature of equipment failures and in relatively small 
quantities, because MCE often contains small amounts of mercury.
4. Systems To Be Used for Collecting the Waste (Including Packaging, 
Marking, and Labeling Practices) Should Ensure Close Stewardship of the 
Waste (40 CFR 273.81(d))
    The packaging and labeling standards finalized today for spent 
mercury-containing equipment, and already in place for used 
thermostats, will ensure close stewardship of the waste.
5. Risks Posed by the Waste During Accumulation and Transport Should Be 
Relatively Low Compared to the Risks Posed by Other Hazardous Waste, 
and Specific Management Standards Would Be Protective of Human Health 
and the Environment During Accumulation and Transport (40 CFR 
273.81(e))
    The Agency believes that the requirements of the universal waste 
program are highly effective in mitigating risks posed by spent 
mercury-containing equipment. Specifically, the requirements for 
handlers to manage and transport ampules of mercury in a way that will 
prevent breakage or to seal the MCE in its original housing and ship it 
sealed will ensure safe management and transport. In addition, the 
universal waste program requires proper training for employees in 
handling universal waste and responding to releases and shipment in 
accordance with Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. These 
requirements will make the risks posed during accumulation and 
transport very low.
6. Regulation of the Waste Under 40 CFR Part 273 Will Increase the 
Likelihood That the Waste Will Be Diverted From Non-Hazardous Waste 
Management Systems (e.g., the Municipal Solid Waste Stream) to 
Recycling, Treatment, or Disposal in Compliance With Subtitle C of RCRA 
(40 CFR 273.81(f))
    Managing spent mercury-containing equipment under the universal 
waste program is expected to increase the number of these articles, 
items and devices collected, but more importantly, to increase the 
amount of mercury being diverted from the non-hazardous waste stream 
into the hazardous waste stream because it will allow generators, 
especially those that generate this waste sporadically, to send it to a 
central consolidation point.
    Before today, these materials could not be consolidated by an 
entity unless it had a RCRA permit. Under the universal waste rule, a 
handler of universal waste can send the universal waste to another 
handler, where it can be consolidated into a larger shipment

[[Page 45511]]

for transport to a destination facility. Therefore, spent MCE will be 
easier to send to recycling and proper disposal, making it less likely 
that it will be sent for improper disposal in municipal landfills or 
incinerators. In addition, because of the streamlined structure of the 
universal waste rule, spent MCE that might otherwise be sent to a 
municipal landfill under a CESQG or household hazardous waste 
exemption, can now be more easily collected and consolidated for 
hazardous waste disposal by those who are interested in managing it 
this way. This waste would be diverted out of the municipal solid waste 
stream.
    In public comments responding to EPA's proposal on MCE, both New 
Jersey and Minnesota referred to their state programs, which already 
allow spent MCE to be managed under pilot programs like the universal 
waste rule. In both cases, the programs have been a success, 
facilitating the collection and safe management of mercury for proper 
management.
7. Regulation of the Waste Under 40 CFR Part 273 Will Improve the 
Implementation and Compliance With the Hazardous Waste Regulatory 
Program (40 CFR 273.81(g))
    The structure and requirements of the universal waste rule are well 
suited to the circumstances of handlers of spent mercury-containing 
equipment and their participation in the universal waste program will 
improve compliance with the hazardous waste regulations. Because spent 
MCE is generated in small quantities in geographically dispersed 
operations, compliance with full subtitle C requirements is difficult 
to achieve. Compliance with subtitle C is particularly difficult for 
electric or gas utility operations which are located on customer's 
properties. In addition, handlers of spent MCE who are infrequent 
generators of hazardous waste and who might otherwise be unfamiliar 
with the more complex subtitle C management structure, but who generate 
spent MCE, will be able to more easily send this waste for proper 
management.
    Therefore, adding spent MCE to the universal waste rule will 
improve compliance with the hazardous waste regulations by making it 
more achievable. As a result of improved compliance, human health and 
the environment will benefit.

b. Effect of Designation as a Universal Waste

    After recognizing that MCE meets the factors described in 40 CFR 
273.81, EPA developed this rulemaking to create a streamlined structure 
for managing spent MCE that is protective of human health and the 
environment and, at the same time, facilitates compliance by users of 
this equipment. Management of MCE as universal waste means that (1) the 
MCE waste must meet land disposal restrictions (LDRs) when treated and 
(2) the waste must be sent to Subtitle C permitted facilities. When 
managed improperly, mercury poses a threat to human health and the 
environment; these features of the universal waste program ensure that 
the mercury in these devices ends up at a destination facility equipped 
to manage it properly.
    As described in section III.C. of this preamble, under the 
universal waste rule, requirements are streamlined only for generators 
and transporters of universal waste. Destination facilities must comply 
with the substantive requirements of the LDR provisions of the 
Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984 (HSWA). These include (1) 
A prohibition on accumulating prohibited wastes directly on the ground; 
(2) a requirement to treat waste to meet treatment standards before 
land placement; (3) a prohibition on dilution; and (4) a prohibition on 
accumulation, except for purposes of accumulating quantities sufficient 
for proper recovery, treatment, or disposal. The Agency believes that 
compliance with the substantive requirements of the LDR program is 
necessary to minimize risks from mismanaging spent mercury-containing 
equipment.
    The management controls that are already built into the universal 
waste system for labeling, accumulation, training, response to 
releases, and exports also will apply to waste MCEs. As discussed later 
in this preamble, the packaging and management standards of the 
universal waste rule are meant to assure that spent MCE will be managed 
to prevent releases.

c. Expected Changes in Management of Mercury-Containing Equipment

    EPA also expects an increase in the amount of MCE waste that is 
recycled or disposed of in Subtitle C facilities. Small and large 
quantity generators are already required to manage their mercury waste 
as hazardous waste under RCRA subtitle C. As a result of implementation 
of this rule in the states, some of these generators are likely to 
begin managing their MCE waste as a universal waste, either to save 
money or to improve implementation of their existing waste management 
program.
    The universal waste rule allows consolidation of MCE at central 
locations, which makes it easier for smaller users to arrange for 
hazardous waste management of these materials when they are generated. 
For example, under the universal waste rule, a fire station, community 
center, or retail store could participate in MCE collection programs 
without having to get a RCRA permit, as they would be required to under 
full subtitle C regulation. EPA intends to encourage individual 
households and CESQGs to participate in such programs, which would 
divert MCE from the municipal waste stream.
    EPA expects greater quantities of MCE to be collected and managed 
under the universal waste rule based on a recent evaluation of how the 
universal waste rule has influenced management of nickel-cadmium 
batteries, one of the original universal wastes included in the 1995 
rulemaking. The evaluation shows that between 1997 and 2003, collection 
of nickel-cadmium batteries increased from approximately 950 tons per 
year in 1997 to almost 1700 tons in 2003. While this dramatic 
improvement in collection is due to a number of factors, anecdotal 
evidence described in the evaluation report shows that the 
establishment of consolidation facilities, which was made possible by 
the universal waste rule, significantly reduced the administrative and 
financial burden of collection and transportation of these batteries. 
The relevant chapter of the program evaluation report is available in 
the docket to this rulemaking.
    In summary, EPA believes that controls to address the environmental 
hazards of spent MCE can best be implemented through a universal waste 
approach where handlers are operating within a simple, streamlined 
management system with some limited oversight. The universal waste 
program addresses the environmental concerns surrounding the management 
of such wastes, while at the same time putting into place a structure 
that will allow for and encourage increased collection of spent MCE. 
Comments from the public and other regulatory agencies, particularly 
state hazardous waste authorities, support EPA's conclusion that 
management of spent MCE as a universal waste will maximize the amount 
of this waste being managed properly and, therefore, will protect human 
health and the environment from exposure to the mercury in this 
equipment.

V. Discussion of Final Rule

a. Effective Date

    Today's rule will become effective immediately upon publication in 
the Federal Register. The RCRA statute establishes six months as the 
usual

[[Page 45512]]

effective date for Subtitle C rules (see RCRA section 3010 (b)), though 
the Agency may provide for a shorter or immediate effective date in the 
case of regulations with which the regulated community does not need 
six months to come into compliance, as determined by the Administrator. 
Because today's final rule reduces regulatory burden, as well as 
because some states already have similar programs in place, we see no 
reason to delay its effective date. Thus, today's rule will be 
effective immediately upon publication in the Federal Register.

b. Waste Covered by Final Rule

    Today's final rule incorporates into the universal waste scheme 
spent mercury-containing equipment that is hazardous waste due to 
mercury. The definition of mercury-containing equipment promulgated 
today states that mercury-containing equipment means a device or part 
of a device that contains elemental mercury integral to its function.
    Note that the definition of ``mercury-containing equipment'' in 
today's rule includes mercury thermostats. Mercury thermostats, which 
formerly were a separate category of universal waste, are now 
incorporated into the spent MCE category for the final rule. As a 
result of public comments, EPA determined that mercury thermostats are 
a type of spent MCE as the category of universal waste is being defined 
in the rule; therefore, having a separate section of the regulations 
for them would be duplicative and potentially confusing.\4\
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    \4\ Batteries and lamps remain covered under their respective 
sections of the universal waste rule, 273.13(a) & (d) and 273.33(a) 
& (d), even though wastes can contain mercury. The specific 
management standards promulgated specifically for them in part 273 
are more appropriate than the ones in today's rule.
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    EPA has changed some of the wording in the definition of ``mercury-
containing equipment'' from the proposed `` * * * contains elementary 
mercury necessary for its operation'' to `` * * * contains elemental 
mercury integral to its function.'' We believe that ``integral to its 
function'' more clearly explains EPA's meaning that the mercury must be 
part of the function of the device for it to be covered by the 
universal waste rule. If the mercury is in the device accidentally, or 
the device has been contaminated by an external source of mercury, the 
device would not be eligible for management as a universal waste.
    This change will clear up some confusion about the phrase 
``necessary for its operations,'' expressed in the comments to the 
proposed rule. One commenter asked if EPA's requirement that mercury in 
MCE be ``necessary for [the device's] operation'' meant that only 
equipment for which no alternative to mercury is available were 
eligible for management as a universal waste. Although EPA encourages 
the use of alternatives to mercury whenever possible, the definition of 
MCE does not speak to whether there are feasible alternatives to 
mercury available, but rather to whether the equipment contains mercury 
in its regular use.
    Some examples are helpful in understanding what kind of devices 
fall into today's definition of mercury-containing equipment. These 
devices vary in size and function, but, for the most part, the mercury 
(1) is a relatively small amount of the complete piece of equipment, 
(2) is encapsulated in some way in an ampule or other housing, and (3) 
is used for delicate measuring of temperature or pressure or for 
completing an electrical circuit. Some of the various types of MCE are 
manometers, barometers, flow meters, mercury light switches, mercury 
regulators, pressure relief gauges, water treatment gauges, and gas 
safety relays. A more comprehensive list of examples of MCE is 
available in the docket to the rulemaking in the Economic Analysis to 
this rule.

c. Management Requirements for Spent Mercury-Containing Equipment

    The following requirements were developed to prevent releases of 
mercury while it is being managed as a universal waste. Mercury, 
although a naturally occurring element, is released into the 
environment by human industrial practices. It is easily volatilized and 
can be dispersed widely through the air and transported thousands of 
miles, accumulating in plants, animals, and humans as it travels. Once 
released, mercury persists in the environment. Once mercury enters 
water, biological processes transform it to methylmercury, a highly 
toxic form that builds up in fish and animals that eat fish. Exposure 
to high levels of mercury has been linked to serious nervous system and 
developmental problems in humans. Therefore, EPA is concerned about 
mercury releases to the environment that might occur if spent MCE is 
managed improperly in the municipal waste stream. The universal waste 
rule is designed to maximize collection of spent MCE while preventing 
releases from management of those wastes. It does so through its 
management requirements.
1. Summary of Requirements
    The universal waste rule classifies regulated persons managing 
universal wastes into four categories: (1) Small quantity handlers of 
universal waste (SQHUWs), (2) large quantity handlers of universal 
waste (LQHUWs), (3) universal waste transporters, and (4) destination 
facilities. The term ``universal waste handler'' is defined in 40 CFR 
273.9 as a generator of universal waste, or the owner or operator of a 
facility that receives universal waste from other universal waste 
handlers, accumulates universal waste and sends it to another universal 
waste handler, to a destination facility or to a foreign destination. 
The definition of ``universal waste handler'' does not include (1) a 
person who treats, disposes of, or recycles universal waste (except 
under the provision of Sec.  273.13(a) or (c) and Sec.  273.33(a) or 
(c)); or (2) a person engaged in the off-site transportation of 
universal waste by air, rail, highway, or water, including a universal 
waste transfer facility.
    Whether a universal waste handler is a SQHUW or LQHUW depends on 
the amount of universal waste it accumulates at any time. Large 
quantity handlers of universal waste are subject to certain regulatory 
requirements in addition to those applicable to SQHUWs. A small 
quantity handler of universal waste is defined under 40 CFR 273.9 as a 
universal waste handler who accumulates less than 5,000 kilograms of 
universal waste, calculated collectively, at any time. The 5,000 
kilogram accumulation limit applies to the total quantity of all 
universal waste handled on-site, regardless of the category of 
universal waste.
    If, at any time, a SQHUW accumulates 5,000 kilograms or more of 
universal waste, then it becomes a large quantity universal waste 
handler for that calendar year. A handler may re-evaluate its status as 
a LQHUW in the following calendar year.
    Today's management requirements for spent mercury-containing 
equipment are generally the same as the existing requirements for 
mercury-containing thermostats. In fact, as already noted, the Agency, 
in response to public comments, has incorporated mercury thermostats 
into today's new category of universal waste--mercury-containing 
equipment--as they meet the definition of spent MCE under today's rule.
2. Requirements for Small and Large Quantity Handlers
    Under today's rule, the existing universal waste requirements 
currently applicable to SQHUWs and LQHUWs

[[Page 45513]]

also apply to handlers of spent mercury-containing equipment. For both 
SQHUWs and LQHUWs, these requirements include waste management 
standards, labeling and marking, accumulation time limits, employee 
training, response to releases, requirements related to off-site 
shipments, and export requirements. LQHUWs are subject to additional 
notification and tracking requirements.
    As described above, in response to public comment that universal 
waste thermostats are actually a subset of the new category, spent MCE, 
the Agency has decided to fold mercury thermostats into the category 
for spent MCE to avoid confusion over the identical standards and to 
avoid duplicative labeling and reporting requirements by generators of 
both materials. Because mercury thermostats are like many other types 
of MCE, as they contain mercury in ampules that are sometimes removed 
for transport for mercury recovery, the management standards for SQHUWs 
and LQHUWs in today's rule are very similar to those promulgated in 
1995 for mercury thermostats. However, we added some standards to 
account for the wider range of devices that will be encompassed by this 
broader category. Those changes are explained in more depth below.
    We also made several technical changes to the regulations in order 
to broaden the previously existing category of mercury thermostats to 
cover all mercury-containing equipment. In order to make this shift in 
the regulatory text, we have (1) replaced references to universal waste 
thermostats throughout parts 260 through 273 with references to 
universal waste mercury-containing equipment and (2) replaced the 
universal waste applicability section for mercury thermostats in Sec.  
273.4 with an applicability section for mercury-containing equipment.
    In the proposed rule, the waste management requirements for spent 
mercury thermostats and spent MCE under 40 CFR 273.13 and 40 CFR 273.33 
were already consolidated; therefore, no significant changes were 
required to that language in the final rule as a result of the removal 
of the thermostat category. The final rule does change the labeling 
requirement, however. The labeling requirement for both SQHUWs and 
LQHUWs of spent mercury-containing equipment is comparable to the 
requirements for other types of universal waste. In addition, if a 
handler of universal waste handles mercury thermostats, but not other 
types of universal waste mercury-containing equipment, it may label or 
mark them, or the container in which they are collected, as universal 
waste thermostats (e.g., ``Universal Waste--Mercury Thermostats''), 
rather than having to make or buy new labels for Mercury-Containing 
Equipment.
    For the purpose of creating waste management standards for this 
waste stream, we have distinguished between several different ways that 
mercury may be contained in an MCE and determined what the management 
standards should be for each category to assure protection of human 
health and the environment. The waste management standards in today's 
rule address how handlers should manage (1) whole spent MCE with 
ampules, and (2) whole spent MCE with open original housings, as well 
as how to manage (3) ampules that have been removed from the device 
they were in, (4) open tubes of mercury removed from a device (such as 
a barometer or manometer), and (5) ancillary parts of spent MCE that 
may have mercury in them, such as a valve.
    Primarily, a handler of universal waste spent MCE must manage it in 
such a way that prevents releases of any component of the universal 
waste into the environment, especially mercury. Thus, any MCE that 
shows evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage 
under reasonably foreseeable circumstances must be contained to prevent 
the release of mercury. The container must be closed, structurally 
sound, compatible with the contents of the spent MCE, must not have any 
evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could result in leakage 
under reasonably foreseeable circumstances, and must be reasonably 
designed to prevent the escape of mercury into the environment by 
volatilization or any other means.
    Many types of MCE, for example, thermometers, thermostats, and 
mercury switches, have an ampule in which the mercury is held. An 
ampule, as defined in this rule, is an airtight vial made of glass, 
plastic, metal, or any combination of these materials. Handlers of 
undamaged whole spent MCEs must comply with part 273 standards such as 
labeling, accumulation time, training, and response to releases, and 
must manage the MCE to prevent releases, as described above.
    Other types of MCE, however, like those that measure pressure, such 
as barometers and manometers, contain mercury in a tube that is open at 
one end. In this rule, we refer to this type of device as MCE with 
``open original housing.'' Mercury ``housing'' is a container that 
holds the mercury while it performs its function in the piece of MCE, 
such as a case or enclosure that, unlike an ampule, is open at one end 
and may allow for escape of mercury unless sealed before management as 
waste.
    Many of these devices with an open original housing are designed to 
be sealed for transportation in a way that prevents mercury escape 
because it is likely that during their lifecycles, they will have to be 
moved from one location to another. If, however, the device cannot be 
sealed in such a way to prevent release of mercury to the environment 
during universal waste accumulation and transportation, it is not 
eligible for management in the universal waste program because it 
cannot meet the management standards in Sec. Sec.  273.13 and 273.33.
    The management requirements for leaking or damaged spent MCE above 
are also appropriate for intact spent MCE in which the mercury is in an 
open housing and not in an ampule, and which have not been sealed. 
Because this type of MCE, even when intact, has a greater potential to 
release mercury into the environment than MCE in which the mercury is 
wholly contained in an ampule, these devices must be managed with more 
caution. In addition, ancillary pieces of spent MCE that contain 
mercury not contained in an ampule must also be contained to minimize 
the chance of any releases due to their management. Sometimes, in a 
device that contains mercury not in an ampule, the mercury can escape 
into other parts of the device. For instance, mercury might get into a 
valve that separates the mercury in a MCE from the rest of the device. 
For these reasons, under today's rule, when the mercury is not 
contained, both intact spent MCE and any MCE parts must be managed in a 
container that is closed, structurally sound, compatible with the 
contents of the spent MCE, reasonably designed to prevent the escape of 
mercury into the environment by volatilization or any other means, and 
that does not have any evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that 
could result in leakage under reasonably foreseeable circumstances.
    A final category of spent MCE that must be managed in these same 
containers is ancillary equipment that came in contact with mercury and 
has been removed from MCE. Mercury containing devices in which the 
mercury is not in an ampule can contain valves or other pieces that 
have come in contact with the mercury and, therefore, are best managed 
under the universal waste rule, so they are sent to a destination 
facility. Like damaged whole spent MCE or whole spent MCE with mercury 
in an open housing, they must be contained in a container that is 
closed, structurally sound, compatible

[[Page 45514]]

with the contents of the spent MCE, reasonably designed to prevent the 
escape of mercury into the environment by volatilization or any other 
means, and that does not have any evidence of leakage, spillage, or 
damage that could result in leakage under reasonably foreseeable 
circumstances.
    Today's standards also state that ampules of mercury may be removed 
from spent MCE for waste management if the handler follows a set of 
requirements to ensure that the handler minimizes the chance of 
breakage of the ampules and, if breakage does occur, that there is 
containment to prevent mercury from escaping to the environment. In 
addition, employees must be trained in waste management and emergency 
procedures. The specific requirements are in 40 CFR 273.13(c)(2)(i) 
through (viii) for SQHUWs and 40 CFR 273.33(c)(2)(i) through (viii) for 
LQHUWs.
    In response to public comments that not all spent mercury-
containing equipment that we described in the proposed rulemaking 
contains mercury in ampules, EPA is finalizing regulations that allow a 
handler of universal waste to remove the part of the mercury-containing 
equipment that contains the mercury in its original housing, even if it 
is not an ampule. In this case, the handler must immediately seal the 
original housing for the mercury with an airtight seal to prevent the 
escape of any mercury into the environment and must then follow all the 
requirements for managing removed ampules, referred to above.
    How the original housing is sealed with an airtight seal will 
depend on the size and shape of the housing itself, as they vary 
depending on what kind of device the MCE is. Therefore, today's rule 
does not mandate a particular way to seal this housing. However, the 
seal must be airtight. The housing must be sealed in a manner that does 
not allow mercury to be released before or during the sealing process, 
and the housing must be packaged in a manner that prevents releases 
when transported to the destination facility. Examples of methods EPA 
believes would be effective to prevent releases from a smaller device 
are placing the housing in containers that are sealed with 
electrician's tape or placing the housing in a sealed zipper storage 
bag and then in a secondary container. Most important in this 
management step is that no mercury escapes into the environment from 
the sealed housing. EPA believes that allowing the original housings of 
mercury to be sealed and managed in the same way as ampules are managed 
will bring waste into the universal waste system that might have 
otherwise been disposed of inappropriately.
    Handlers of universal waste that remove an ampule or remove the 
original housing of mercury and seal it must also determine whether 
mercury has leaked from the equipment. The handlers must evaluate any 
leaked materials, any clean-up residues resulting from spills or leaks, 
or any other solid waste generated from the removal of ampules or 
removal and sealing of mercury housing to determine if it exhibits a 
characteristic of hazardous waste, including, but not limited to, the 
toxicity characteristic for mercury. Any material exhibiting a 
characteristic of hazardous waste would have to be managed in 
accordance with all applicable requirements of 40 CFR parts 260 through 
279, instead of as a universal waste.
    In summary, leaking whole spent MCE, spent intact MCE with open 
original housing, and ancillary equipment all must be managed in 
containers that will not allow escape of mercury to the environment, 
and ampules and housings of mercury with airtight seals must be managed 
to minimize breakage and must be managed in containers that prevent the 
escape of mercury if breakage does occur.
    The notification requirement in today's rule for LQHUWs of spent 
mercury-containing equipment is consistent with the existing 
notification requirement for LQHUWs of all other universal wastes (40 
CFR 273.32). Under today's rule, a large-quantity handler of spent MCE 
is required to notify the Regional Administrator and receive an 
identification number before meeting or exceeding the accumulation 
limit. In addition, these handlers are required to keep records of 
universal waste shipments received or sent off-site. These records may 
take the form of a log, invoice, manifest, bill of lading, or other 
shipping document.
    Handlers of spent mercury-containing equipment are also subject to 
the requirements applicable to all universal waste handlers in the 
existing universal waste rule framework. These requirements can be 
found in 40 CFR part 273 subparts B and C, and cover accumulation time 
limits, employee training, response to releases, off-site shipments, 
and exports.
3. Requirements for Transporters
    Under 40 CFR 273.9, the definition of a universal waste transporter 
is ``a person engaged in the off-site transportation of universal waste 
by air, rail, highway, or water.'' Persons meeting the definition of 
universal waste transporter include those persons who transport 
universal waste from one universal waste handler to another, to a 
processor, to a destination facility, or to a foreign destination. 
These persons are subject to the universal waste transporter 
requirements of part 273, subpart D. Today's rule does not change any 
of the existing requirements applicable to universal waste 
transporters.
    EPA notes that today's rule also does not affect the applicability 
of shipping requirements under the hazardous waste materials 
regulations of the Department of Transportation. Transporters continue 
to be subject to these requirements, if applicable (e.g., 49 CFR 
173.164: Metallic Mercury and Articles Containing Mercury).
4. Requirements for Destination Facilities
    Under 40 CFR 273.9, the definition of a destination facility is ``a 
facility that treats, disposes of, or recycles a particular category of 
universal waste'' (except certain activities specified in the 
regulations at Sec.  273.13(a) and (c) and Sec.  273.33(a) and (c)). 
Today's rule does not change any of the existing requirements 
applicable to universal waste destination facilities (subpart E of part 
273).
5. Effect of Today's Rule on Household Wastes and Conditionally-Exempt 
Small Quantity Generators
    Adding spent mercury-containing devices to the federal definition 
of universal wastes does not impose any requirements on households and 
conditionally-exempt small quantity generators for managing these 
devices.\5\ Household waste continues to be exempt from RCRA subtitle C 
regulations under 40 CFR 261.4(b)(1). However, under the universal 
waste rule, households and CESQGs may choose to manage their spent 
mercury-containing equipment in accordance with either the CESQG 
regulations under 40 CFR 261.5 or as a universal waste under part 273 
(40 CFR 273.8(a)(2)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ Conditionally-exempt small quantity generators (CESQGs) 
generate less than 100 kilograms of hazardous waste in a calendar 
month and are not subject to RCRA subtitle C hazardous waste 
management standards, provided they send their waste to a municipal 
solid waste facility or other facility approved by the state for the 
management of industrial or municipal non-hazardous wastes (40 CFR 
261.5).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    It should be noted, however, that 40 CFR 273.8(b) continues to 
apply. Under this provision, if household or CESQG wastes are mixed 
with universal waste subject to the requirements of 40 CFR

[[Page 45515]]

part 273 (i.e., universal waste that is not generated by households or 
CESQGs), the commingled waste must be handled as universal waste in 
accordance with part 273. Under today's rule, handlers of universal 
waste who collect 5,000 kilograms or more of this commingled waste are 
considered large quantity handlers of universal waste and must meet the 
requirements of that category of universal waste handler.
    Spent mercury-containing equipment that is managed as a universal 
waste under 40 CFR part 273 is not required to be included in a 
facility's determination of hazardous waste generator status (40 CFR 
261.5(c)(6)). Therefore, a generator that manages such devices under 
the universal waste rule and does not generate any other hazardous 
waste is not subject to other subtitle C hazardous waste management 
regulations, such as the hazardous waste generator regulations in part 
262.
    A universal waste handler that generates more than 100 kilograms 
but less than 1,000 kilograms of hazardous waste in a calendar month in 
addition to the universal waste it generates is regulated as a small 
quantity generator of hazardous waste and is required to manage all 
hazardous waste not included within the scope of that universal waste 
rule in accordance with all applicable subtitle C hazardous waste 
management standards. Similarly, a universal waste handler that 
generates 1000 kilograms or more of hazardous waste in a calendar month 
in addition to the universal waste it generates is regulated as a large 
quantity generator of hazardous waste.
6. Land Disposal Restriction Requirements
    As discussed above, under the existing regulations (40 CFR 
268.1(f)), universal waste handlers and transporters are exempt from 
the land disposal restriction (LDR) requirements regarding testing, 
tracking, and recordkeeping in 40 CFR 268.7 and the storage prohibition 
in 40 CFR 268.50. Today's rule does not change the regulatory status of 
destination facilities; they remain subject to the full LDR 
requirements.

VI. Discussion of Comments Received in Response to Proposed Rulemaking 
and the Agency's Responses

    EPA received 49 comments on the mercury-containing equipment 
portion of the June 12, 2002 proposed rule for cathode ray tubes and 
mercury-containing equipment. Thirty-six of these comments expressed 
agreement that EPA should finalize this rule, though some included 
suggestions to change the rule.
    In this section, we are addressing those comments that we believe 
are of interest to the general public or which resulted in significant 
changes to the final rule from the proposal. A full record of the 
comments we received and our responses to them is available in a 
Response to Comments document in the docket for this rulemaking.

a. Regarding the Addition of Mercury-Containing Equipment to the 
Universal Waste Rule

    EPA received several comments on the topic of ampules of mercury. 
There were five basic categories of comments: (1) EPA did not include a 
definition of ``ampule;'' (2) many types of mercury-containing 
equipment do not contain mercury in ampules; (3) spent MCE with mercury 
not in ampules should still be able to be managed as universal waste; 
(4) mercury not in ampules should be able to be removed from larger MCE 
and managed as universal waste; and (5) there should be more stringent 
management standards for mercury from spent MCE that is not in ampules.
    The original proposal did not include a requirement that only spent 
MCE with ampules would be eligible as a universal waste. The first 
paragraph of proposed Sec. Sec.  273.13(c) and 273.33(c) discusses 
management of whole spent MCE, regardless of whether the mercury is 
contained in an ampule. This remains the case in the final rule. 
However, in response to these comments on ampules, EPA has made several 
changes to the final rule.
    First, EPA included in the final rule a definition of ``ampule.'' 
Although many ampules are glass vials, EPA is aware that they can be 
made of glass, plastic, or metal. EPA's primary concern with these 
items is that they are airtight and will not allow mercury to escape 
into the surrounding environment. Therefore, EPA defined an ampule as 
``an airtight vial made of glass, plastic, metal, or any combination of 
these materials.''
    Secondly, EPA has added language to the first paragraph of Sec.  
273.13(c) and Sec.  273.33(c) to address concerns that intact spent MCE 
could cause releases to the environment even when not damaged. The 
proposed language assumed that spent MCE would only release mercury if 
damaged, but we also want to prevent potential releases that happen 
because of an item's design, not damage. To account for this, EPA has 
added language in both relevant sections stating that containers must 
be reasonably designed to prevent the escape of mercury into the 
environment by volatilization or any other means. This standard 
requires that the handlers design containers for spent MCE that will 
prevent releases under reasonably foreseeable conditions, which is 
similar to other standards in the universal waste rule that rely on a 
handlers anticipating the fate of the universal wastes they are 
handling under reasonably foreseeable conditions.
    In addition, in the final rule, mercury not in ampules may be 
removed from the larger MCE for management as a universal waste, as 
described under the requirements for large and small quantity handlers. 
Again, in response to concerns that this could lead to mercury 
releases, EPA stipulates that once the housing of mercury is removed, 
it must be immediately sealed and managed in the same manner as an 
ampule.
    In summary, universal waste MCE includes whole spent MCE, both with 
and without ampules, ampules of mercury, and the original housing of 
mercury removed from its device and sealed with an airtight seal. EPA 
believes that these changes address the concerns of the commenters on 
the issue of ampules.
    We also received several comments stating that to avoid duplicative 
labeling and notification requirements, EPA should put spent MCE and 
thermostats in the same category of universal waste. EPA agrees with 
these comments and decided that thermostats are, in fact, one kind of 
mercury-containing equipment and should not be distinguished from other 
kinds of MCE. Therefore, we have replaced the thermostat category in 
the universal waste regulations with the category for mercury-
containing equipment. Although this may cause some confusion in the 
short-term for people already familiar with the regulations for mercury 
thermostats, EPA decided that the long-term benefits of having one 
category of universal waste for all types of spent MCE outweighed any 
short-term confusion.
    To assuage two foreseeable concerns with this approach, we made two 
adjustments. First, we clarified that thermostats are included in the 
universal waste category of MCE in several places in the regulatory 
text, including the definitions and the title of the waste management 
standards for universal waste spent MCE. In addition, to preclude 
handlers of only mercury thermostats from having to change their 
labeling procedures, the final rule allows such handlers to continue to 
label a universal waste thermostat or a container containing only 
universal waste thermostats with the previous language required in 
these regulations: ``Universal Waste--Mercury

[[Page 45516]]

Thermostat(s),'' ``Waste Mercury Thermostat(s),'' or ``Used Mercury 
Thermostat(s).''
    In addition to these changes to the final rule, EPA is clarifying 
several issues in response to comments received.
    Several commenters asked whether the weight of an entire device 
needs to be counted toward the 5,000 kilogram total universal waste 
threshold for a small quantity generator of universal waste. If the 
mercury has not been removed from the device, then the weight of the 
entire device is counted toward the 5,000 kilogram limit. However, EPA 
clarifies that if the mercury has been removed from a device and the 
rest of the device is managed as non-hazardous waste, then only the 
weight of the part being managed as spent MCE needs to be counted as 
universal waste. In this case, the generator is responsible for 
ensuring that any part of the device that may have become contaminated 
with mercury, especially in the case of an open housing of mercury, is 
being managed appropriately under RCRA.
    We also received a comment asking EPA to clarify the status of MCE 
being sent to a reseller for further evaluation as to whether it is 
usable in its current condition. Like other materials, MCE being sent 
to a reseller for possible reuse is not a solid waste, and, therefore, 
not a hazardous or universal waste until the handler has decided to 
discard it. If it is not discarded, it is not a waste and therefore not 
a universal waste.
    With respect to the scope of the term ``mercury-containing 
equipment,'' we received a comment regarding the items listed in the 
preamble to the rule. We clarify today that the items mentioned in this 
preamble as MCE do not constitute a comprehensive list of MCE. Any item 
that meets the definition of mercury containing equipment in today's 
rule is eligible for management as a universal waste.
    EPA also received several comments to the proposed rulemaking 
suggesting that EPA promulgate a conditional exclusion from the 
definition of solid waste for MCE that is recycled. These comments are 
beyond the scope of today's rulemaking, which is a response to a 
petition to add MCE to the universal waste rule. The proposed rule for 
these materials did not discuss development of a conditional exclusion 
from the definition of solid waste, and such an action would raise very 
different issues and require a separate rulemaking.

b. Regarding the Universal Waste Notification Requirement

    In the proposed rule, EPA specifically requested comment on the 
notification requirements in the universal waste rule. Specifically, 
the Agency requested comments on deleting 40 CFR 273.32(b)(5), which 
requires that when large quantity handlers of universal waste notify 
the EPA Regional Administrator of their large quantity handler status, 
they include a statement that (1) states that they are accumulating 
over 5,000 kilograms of universal waste and (2) lists the types of 
universal wastes they are accumulating above this quantity.
    EPA believes the latter half of this requirement is unnecessary. In 
40 CFR 273.32(b)(4), the regulations already require LQHUWs to include 
a list of all the types of universal waste managed by the handler in 
their notification. Also, the 5,000 kilogram limit for LQHUWs is for 
all universal waste accumulated by the handler, not for any one 
universal waste. Therefore, EPA proposed to delete the requirement to 
notify the Regional Administrator of which particular universal wastes 
exceed the 5,000 kilogram limit.
    In response to its solicitation of comment on this issue, EPA 
received 16 comments from state regulatory agencies and the regulated 
community in support of this change and no comments in opposition to 
the change. Therefore, EPA is finalizing this change to the universal 
waste regulations in today's final rule.

VII. State Authority

a. Applicability of Rule in Authorized States

    Under section 3006 of RCRA, EPA may authorize qualified states to 
administer and enforce the RCRA hazardous waste program within the 
state. Following authorization, EPA retains enforcement authority under 
sections 3008, 3013, and 7003 of RCRA, although authorized states have 
primary enforcement responsibility. The standards and requirements for 
state authorization are found at 40 CFR part 271.
    Prior to enactment of the Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 
1984 (HSWA), a State with final RCRA authorization administered its 
hazardous waste program entirely in lieu of EPA administering the 
federal program in that state. The federal requirements no longer 
applied in the authorized state, and EPA could not issue permits for 
any facilities in that state, since only the state was authorized to 
issue RCRA permits. When new, more stringent federal requirements were 
promulgated, the state was obligated to enact equivalent authorities 
within specified time frames. However, the new federal requirements did 
not take effect in an authorized state, until the state adopted the 
federal requirements as state law.
    In contrast, under RCRA section 3006(g) (42 U.S.C. 6926(g)), which 
was added by HSWA, new requirements and prohibitions imposed under HSWA 
authority take effect in authorized states at the same time that they 
take effect in unauthorized states. EPA is directed by the statute to 
implement these requirements and prohibitions in authorized states, 
including the issuance of permits, until the state is granted 
authorization to do so. While states must still adopt HSWA related 
provisions as state law to retain final authorization, EPA implements 
the HSWA provisions in authorized states until the states do so.
    Authorized states are required to modify their programs only when 
EPA enacts federal requirements that are more stringent or broader in 
scope than existing federal requirements. RCRA section 3009 allows the 
states to impose standards more stringent than those in the federal 
program (see also 40 CFR 271.1). Therefore, authorized states may, but 
are not required to, adopt federal regulations, both HSWA and non-HSWA, 
that are considered less stringent than previous federal regulations.

b. Effect on State Authorization

    Today's rule is less stringent than the current federal program. 
Because states are not required to adopt less stringent regulations, 
they do not have to adopt the universal waste regulations for spent 
mercury-containing devices, although EPA encourages them to do so. Some 
states may already be in the process of streamlining their regulations 
for these materials or adding them to their list of universal wastes. 
If a state's standards for spent mercury-containing equipment are less 
stringent than those in today's rule, the state must amend its 
regulations to make them equivalent to today's standards and pursue 
authorization.

c. Interstate Transport

    Because some states may choose not to seek authorization for 
today's rule, there will probably be cases when spent mercury-
containing equipment will be transported through states with different 
regulations governing them.
    First, a waste which is subject to the universal waste regulations 
may be sent to a state, or through a state, where it is

[[Page 45517]]

subject to the full hazardous waste regulations. In this scenario, for 
the portion of the trip through the originating state, and any other 
states where the waste is a universal waste, neither a hazardous waste 
transporter with an EPA identification number per 40 CFR 263.11 nor a 
manifest would be required. However, for the portion of the trip 
through the receiving state, and any other states that do not consider 
the spent MCE to be a universal waste, the transporter must have a 
manifest, and must move the waste in compliance with 40 CFR part 263. 
In order for the final transporter and the receiving facility to 
fulfill the requirements concerning the manifest (40 CFR 263.20, 
263.21, 263.22; 264.71, 264.72, 264.76 or 265.71, 265.72, and 265.76), 
the initiating facility should complete a manifest and forward it to 
the first transporter to travel in a state where the waste is not a 
universal waste. The receiving facility must then sign the manifest and 
send a copy to the initiating facility. EPA recommends that the 
initiating facility note in block 15 of the manifest (Special Handling 
Instructions and Additional Information) that the wastes are under the 
universal waste regulations in the initiating state, but not in the 
receiving facility's state.
    Second, a hazardous waste generated in a state which does not 
regulate it as a universal waste may be sent to a state where it is 
regulated as a universal waste. In this scenario, the waste must be 
moved by a hazardous waste transporter while the waste is in the 
generator's state or any other states where it is not a universal 
waste. The initiating facility would complete a manifest and give 
copies to the transporter as required under 40 CFR 262.23(a). 
Transportation within the receiving state and any other states that 
regulate it as a universal waste would not require a manifest and need 
not be transported by a hazardous waste transporter. However, it is the 
initiating facility's responsibility to ensure that the manifest is 
forwarded to the receiving facility by any non-hazardous waste 
transporter and sent back to the initiating facility by the receiving 
facility (see 40 CFR 262.23 and 262.42). EPA recommends that the 
generator note in block 15 of the manifest (Special Handling 
Instructions and Additional Information) that the waste is covered 
under the universal waste regulations in the receiving facility's 
state, but not in the generator's state.
    Third, a waste may be transported across a state in which it is 
subject to the full hazardous waste regulations although, other 
portions of the trip may be from, through, and to states in which it is 
covered under the universal waste regulations. Transport through the 
state must be conducted by a hazardous waste transporter and must be 
accompanied by a manifest. In order for the transporter to fulfill its 
requirements concerning the manifest (subpart B of part 263), the 
initiating facility must complete a manifest as required under the 
manifest procedures and forward it to the first transporter to travel 
in a state where the waste is not a universal waste. The transporter 
must deliver the manifest to, and obtain the signature of, either the 
next transporter or the receiving facility.
    As more states streamline their regulatory requirements for spent 
MCE, the complexity of interstate transport should be reduced.

VIII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

a. Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Planning and Review

    Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), Federal 
agencies must determine whether a regulatory action is ``significant'' 
and therefore subject to OMB review and the requirements of the 
Executive Order. The Order defines a ``significant regulatory action'' 
as one that is likely to result in a rule that may: ``(1) Have an 
annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more or adversely 
affect, in a material way, the economy, a sector of the economy, 
productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or 
safety, or State, local, or tribal governments or communities; (2) 
create serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action 
taken or planned by another agency; (3) materially alter the budgetary 
impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the 
rights and obligations of recipients; or (4) raise novel legal or 
policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's 
priorities, or the principles set forth in the Executive Order.''
    Pursuant to the terms of Executive Order 12866, the Agency has 
determined that today's rule is a significant regulatory action because 
it contains novel policy issues. As such, this action was submitted to 
OMB for review. Changes made in response to OMB suggestions or 
recommendations are documented in the docket to today's proposal.
    To estimate the cost savings, incremental costs, economic impacts, 
and benefits from this rule to affected regulated entities, we 
completed an economic analysis for this rule. Copies of this analysis, 
``Economic Analysis of Including Mercury Containing Devices In the 
Universal Waste System'' have been placed in the RCRA Docket.
    EPA estimated through this analysis that 1,877 generators handling 
approximately 550 tons of MCE would be affected by this rule. EPA 
estimates a cost savings from the rule to be $273,000 per year. Of 
this, about $200,000 would be savings to generators of mercury-
containing equipment, an average of $106 per generator per year. The 
remaining $73,000 is attributable to retorters and waste brokers.
    In addition to cost savings, EPA's analysis showed qualitative 
benefits to adding spent MCE to the universal waste program: improved 
implementation of and compliance with the hazardous waste program, 
establishment of facilities to consolidate mercury waste, increased 
recovery and recycling of mercury from these devices, and reduced 
mercury emissions.

b. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The information collection requirements in this rule have been 
submitted for approval to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. The 
information collection requirements are not enforceable until OMB 
approves them.
    The information requirements established for this action, and 
identified on the Information Collection Request (ICR) supporting 
today's rule are largely self-implementing. This process will ensure 
that (1) regulated entities managing mercury-containing equipment are 
held accountable to the applicable requirements; and (2) state 
inspectors can verify compliance when needed. For example, the 
universal waste standards require LQHUWs and SQHUWs to demonstrate the 
length of time that spent MCE has been accumulated from the date they 
were received or became a waste. The standards also require LQHUWs and 
destination sites to keep records of all shipments sent and received. 
Further, the standards require waste handlers and processors to notify 
EPA under certain circumstances (e.g., when large amounts of waste are 
accumulated or when illegal shipments are received).
    EPA will use the collected information in the event of an 
inspection to ensure that spent mercury-containing equipment is being 
managed in a protective manner. The information aids the Agency in 
tracking waste shipments and identifying improper management practices. 
In addition, information kept in facility records helps handlers, 
processors, and

[[Page 45518]]

destination facilities to ensure that all facilities are managing these 
wastes properly.
    Section 3007(b) of RCRA and 40 CFR part 2, subpart B, which define 
EPA's general policy on public disclosure of information, contain 
provisions for confidentiality. However, no questions of a sensitive 
nature are included in any of the information collection requirements 
associated with today's action.
    EPA has carefully considered the burden imposed upon the regulated 
community by the regulations. EPA is confident that those activities 
required of respondents are necessary and, to the extent possible, has 
attempted to minimize the burden imposed. EPA believes strongly that if 
the minimum requirements specified under the regulations are not met, 
neither the facilities nor EPA can ensure that spent MCE are being 
managed in a manner protective of human health and the environment.
    The aggregate annual burden to respondents of this action over the 
three-year time period covered by the ICR is estimated at 114,770 
hours, with a cost of approximately $825,158. Average annual burden 
hours per respondent are estimated to be 4.5 hours for small quantity 
handlers; 15 hours for large quantity handlers; 10 hours for treatment, 
storage, and disposal facilities; and 16 hours for transporters. There 
are an estimated 2495 respondents. This level of burden represents a 
reduction of approximately 18,493 hours, since the spent MCE will no 
longer need to comply with the full RCRA requirements for generators 
and transporters.
    Burden means the total time, effort, or financial resources 
expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or 
provide information to or for a Federal agency. This includes the time 
needed to review instructions; develop, acquire, install, and utilize 
technology and systems for the purposes of collecting, validating, and 
verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and 
disclosing and providing information; adjust the existing ways to 
comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements; 
train personnel to be able to respond to a collection of information; 
search data sources; complete and review the collection of information; 
and transmit or otherwise disclose the information.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to a collection of information, unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number. The OMB control numbers for EPA's 
regulations in 40 CFR are listed in 40 CFR part 9. When this ICR is 
approved by OMB, the Agency will publish a technical amendment to 40 
CFR part 9 in the Federal Register to display the OMB control number 
for the approved information collection requirements contained in this 
final rule.

c. Regulatory Flexibility Act, as Amended by the Small Business 
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act generally requires an agency to 
prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to notice 
and comment rulemaking requirements under the Administrative Procedures 
Act or any other statute, unless the agency certifies that the rule 
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities. Small entities include small businesses, small 
organizations, and small governmental jurisdictions.
    For purposes of assessing the impacts of today's rule on small 
entities, small entity is defined as (1) a small business as defined by 
the Small Business Administration's (SBA) regulations at 13 CFR 
121.201; (2) a small governmental jurisdiction that is a government of 
a city, county, town, school district, or special district with a 
population of less than 50,000; and (3) a small organization that is 
any not-for-profit enterprise that is independently owned and operated 
and is not dominant in its field.
    After considering the economic impacts of today's final rule on 
small entities, I certify that this action will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. In 
determining whether a rule has a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities, the impact of concern is any 
significant adverse economic impact on small entities, since the 
primary purpose of the regulatory flexibility analyses is to identify 
and address regulatory alternatives ``which minimize any significant 
economic impact of the rule on small entities'' (5 U.S.C. 603 and 604). 
Thus, an agency may certify that a rule will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities if the rule 
relieves regulatory burden, or otherwise has a positive economic effect 
on all of the small entities subject to the rule.
    The small entity analysis conducted for today's rule indicates that 
streamlining requirements for spent mercury-containing devices would 
generally result in savings to affected entities compared to the 
baseline requirements. Under a scenario assuming full compliance, the 
rule is not expected to result in a net cost to any affected entity. 
Thus, adverse impacts are not anticipated. Costs could increase for 
entities that are not complying with current requirements, but even 
these costs, which are not properly attributable to the current 
rulemaking, would not be expected to result in significant impacts on a 
substantial number of small entities. We have therefore concluded that 
today's final rule will relieve regulatory burden for small entities.

d. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    Title II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), Public 
Law 104-4, establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess the 
effects of their regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal 
governments and the private sector. Under section 202 of the UMRA, EPA 
generally must prepare a written statement, including a cost-benefit 
analysis, for proposed and final rules with ``Federal mandates'' that 
may result in expenditures to State, local, and tribal governments, in 
the aggregate, or to the private sector, of $100 million or more in any 
one year.
    Before promulgating an EPA rule for which a written statement is 
needed, section 205 of the UMRA generally requires EPA to identify and 
consider a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives and adopt the 
least costly, most cost-effective or least burdensome alternative that 
achieves the objectives of the rule. The provisions of section 205 do 
not apply when they are inconsistent with applicable law. Moreover, 
section 205 allows EPA to adopt an alternative other than the least 
costly, most cost-effective or least burdensome alternative if the 
Administrator publishes with the final rule an explanation why that 
alternative was not adopted.
    Before EPA establishes any regulatory requirements that may 
significantly or uniquely affect small governments, including tribal 
governments, it must have developed under section 203 of the UMRA a 
small government agency plan. The plan must provide for notifying 
potentially affected small governments, enabling officials of affected 
small governments to have meaningful and timely input in the 
development of EPA regulatory proposals with significant Federal 
intergovernmental mandates, and informing, educating, and advising 
small governments on compliance with the regulatory requirements.
    Today's rule contains no Federal mandates (under the regulatory

[[Page 45519]]

provisions of Title II of the UMRA) for state, local, or tribal 
governments or the private sector. The UMRA generally excludes from the 
definition of ``federal governmental mandate'' (in sections 202, 203, 
and 205) and from the definition of ``federal private sector mandate'' 
duties that arise from participation in a voluntary federal program. 
Today's final rule is voluntary in that it is less stringent than the 
current regulations. As a result, state governments are not required to 
adopt the changes and the private sector is not required to 
participate. Thus, today's rule is not subject to the requirements of 
sections 202 and 205 of the UMRA.

e. Executive Order 13132: Federalism

    Executive Order 13132, entitled ``Federalism'' (64 FR 43255, August 
10, 1999), requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure 
``meaningful and timely input by state and local officials in the 
development of regulatory policies that have federalism implications.'' 
``Policies that have federalism implications'' is defined in the 
Executive Order to include regulations that have ``substantial direct 
effects on the states, on the relationship between the national 
government and the states, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government.''
    This final rule does not have federalism implications. It will not 
have substantial direct effects on the states, on the relationship 
between the national government and the states, or on the distribution 
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government, 
as specified in Executive Order 13132. Thus, Executive Order 13132 does 
not apply to this rule.

f. Executive Order 13175: Consultation and Coordination With Indian 
Tribal Governments

    Executive Order 13175, entitled ``Consultation and Coordination 
with Indian Tribal Governments'' (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), 
requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure ``meaningful 
and timely input by tribal officials in the development of regulatory 
policies that have tribal implications.'' This final rule does not have 
tribal implications, as specified in Executive Order 13175. It will not 
have substantial direct effects on tribal governments, on the 
relationship between the Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on 
the distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal 
Government and Indian tribes. Thus, Executive Order 13175 does not 
apply to this rule.

g. Executive Order 13045: Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health and Safety Risks

    Executive Order 13045: ``Protection of Children from Environmental 
Health Risks and Safety Risks'' (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997) applies 
to any rule that (1) is determined to be ``economically significant'' 
as defined under Executive Order 12866; and (2) concerns an 
environmental health or safety risk that EPA has reason to believe may 
have a disproportionate effect on children. If the regulatory action 
meets both criteria, the Agency must evaluate the environmental health 
or safety effects of the planned rule on children, and explain why the 
planned regulation is preferable to other potentially effective and 
reasonably feasible alternatives considered by the Agency.
    This final rule is not subject to the Executive Order because it is 
not economically significant as defined in Executive Order 12866, and 
because the Agency does not have reason to believe the environmental 
health or safety risks addressed by this action present a 
disproportionate risk to children. In fact, EPA expects that the result 
of this final rule will be to increase compliance with the hazardous 
waste regulations and reduce exposures to mercury by the public, 
including children.

h. Executive Order 13211: Actions That Significantly Affect Energy 
Supply, Distribution, or Use

    This rule is not a ``significant energy action'' as defined in 
Executive Order 13211, ``Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use'' (66 FR 28355 
(May 22, 2001)) because it is not likely to have a significant adverse 
effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. Further, we have 
concluded that this rule is not likely to have any adverse energy 
effects.

i. National Technology Transfer Advancement Act

    As noted in the proposed rule, section 12(d) of the (NTTAA), Public 
Law 104-113, section 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs EPA to use 
voluntary consensus standards in its regulatory activities, unless to 
do so would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise 
impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards 
(e.g., materials specifications, test methods, sampling procedures, and 
business practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary 
consensus standards bodies. The NTTAA directs EPA to provide Congress, 
through OMB, explanations when the Agency decides not to use available 
and applicable voluntary consensus standards.
    This action does not involve technical standards. Therefore, EPA 
did not consider the use of any voluntary consensus standards.

j. Congressional Review Act

    The Congressional Review Act, 5 U.S.C. 801 et seq., as added by the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, generally 
provides that before a rule may take effect, the agency promulgating 
the rule must submit a rule report, which includes a copy of the rule, 
to each House of the Congress and to the Comptroller General of the 
United States. EPA will submit a report containing this rule and other 
required information to the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of 
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the United States prior 
to publication of the rule in the Federal Register. A major rule cannot 
take effect until 60 days after it is published in the Federal 
Register. This action is not a ``major rule'' as defined by 5 U.S.C. 
804(2). This rule will be effective August 5, 2005.

List of Subjects

40 CFR Part 260

    Environmental protection, Administrative practice and procedure, 
Confidential business information, Hazardous waste, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

40 CFR Part 261

    Environmental protection, Hazardous waste, Recycling, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

40 CFR Part 264

    Environmental protection, Hazardous waste, Packaging and 
containers, Security measures, Surety bonds.

40 CFR Part 265

    Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Hazardous waste, 
Insurance, Packaging and containers, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Security measures, Surety bonds, Water supply.

40 CFR Part 268

    Environmental protection, Hazardous waste, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

40 CFR Part 270

    Environmental protection, Hazardous materials transportation, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

[[Page 45520]]

40 CFR Part 273

    Environmental protection, Hazardous materials transportation, 
Hazardous waste.

    Dated: July 26, 2005.
Stephen L. Johnson,
Administrator.

0
For the reasons set out in the preamble, title 40, chapter I of the 
Code of Federal Regulations, parts 260, 261, 264, 265, 268, 270, and 
273 are amended as follows:

PART 260--HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: GENERAL

0
1. The authority citation for part 260 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6905, 6912(a), 6921-6927, 6930, 6934, 6935, 
6937, 6938, 6939, and 6974.

Subpart B--Definitions

0
2. Section 260.10 is amended by adding the definition of ``Mercury-
containing equipment'' and by republishing the introductory text of and 
revising paragraph (3) to the definition of ``Universal Waste'' to read 
as follows:


Sec.  260.10  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Mercury-containing equipment means a device or part of a device 
(including thermostats, but excluding batteries and lamps) that 
contains elemental mercury integral to its function.
* * * * *
    Universal Waste means any of the following hazardous wastes that 
are managed under the universal waste requirements of part 273 of this 
chapter:
* * * * *
    (3) Mercury-containing equipment as described in Sec.  273.4 of 
this chapter; and
* * * * *

PART 261--IDENTIFICATION AND LISTING OF HAZARDOUS WASTE

0
3. The authority citation for part 261 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6905, 6912(a), 6921, 6922, 6924(y), and 
6938.

Subpart A--General

0
4. Section 261.9 is amended by revising paragraph (c) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  261.9  Requirements for universal waste.

* * * * *
    (c) Mercury-containing equipment as described in Sec.  273.4 of 
this chapter; and
* * * * *

PART 264--STANDARDS FOR OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF HAZARDOUS WASTE 
TREATMENT, STORAGE AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES

0
5. The authority citation for part 264 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6905, 6912(a), 6924, and 6925.

Subpart A--General

0
6. Section 264.1 is amended by revising paragraph (g)(11)(iii) to read 
as follows:


Sec.  264.1  Purpose, scope, and applicability.

* * * * *
    (g) * * *
    (11) * * *
    (iii) Mercury-containing equipment as described in Sec.  273.4 of 
this chapter; and
* * * * *

PART 265--INTERIM STATUS STANDARDS FOR OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF 
HAZARDOUS WASTE TREATMENT, STORAGE AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES

0
7. The authority citation for part 265 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6905, 6906, 6912, 6922, 6923, 6924, 6925, 
6935, 6936, and 6937.

Subpart A--General

0
8. Section 265.1 is amended by revising paragraph (c)(14)(iii) to read 
as follows:


Sec.  265.1  Purpose, scope and applicability.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (14) * * *
    (iii) Mercury-containing equipment as described in Sec.  273.4 of 
this chapter; and
* * * * *

PART 268--LAND DISPOSAL RESTRICTIONS

0
9. The authority citation for part 268 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6905, 6912(a), 6921, and 6924.

Subpart A--General

0
10. Section 268.1 is amended by revising paragraph (f)(3) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  268.1  Purpose, scope and applicability.

* * * * *
    (f) * * *
    (3) Mercury-containing equipment as described in Sec.  273.4 of 
this chapter; and
* * * * *

PART 270--EPA ADMINISTERED PERMIT PROGRAMS: THE HAZARDOUS WASTE 
PERMIT PROGRAM

0
11. The authority citation for part 270 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6905, 6912, 6924, 6925, 6927, 6939, and 
6974.

Subpart A--General Information

0
12. Section 270.1 is amended by revising paragraph (c)(2)(viii)(C) to 
read as follows:


Sec.  270.1  Purpose and scope of these regulations.

* * * * *
    (c) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (viii) * * *
    (C) Mercury-containing equipment as described in Sec.  273.4 of 
this chapter; and
* * * * *

PART 273--STANDARDS FOR UNIVERSAL WASTE MANAGEMENT

0
13. The authority for part 273 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 42 U.S.C. 6922, 6923, 6924, 6925, 6930, and 6937.

Subpart A--General

0
14. Section 273.1 is amended by revising paragraph (a)(3) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  273.1  Scope.

    (a) * * *
    (3) Mercury-containing equipment as described in Sec.  273.4; and
* * * * *

0
15. Section 273.4 is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  273.4  Applicability--Mercury-containing equipment.

    (a) Mercury-containing equipment covered under this part 273. The 
requirements of this part apply to persons managing mercury-containing 
equipment, as described in Sec.  273.9, except those listed in 
paragraph (b) of this section.
    (b) Mercury-containing equipment not covered under this part 273. 
The requirements of this part do not apply to persons managing the 
following mercury-containing equipment:
    (1) Mercury-containing equipment that is not yet a waste under part 
261 of this chapter. Paragraph (c) of this section describes when 
mercury-containing equipment becomes a waste;
    (2) Mercury-containing equipment that is not a hazardous waste. 
Mercury-containing equipment is a hazardous

[[Page 45521]]

waste if it exhibits one or more of the characteristics identified in 
part 261, subpart C of this chapter or is listed in part 261, subpart D 
of this chapter; and
    (3) Equipment and devices from which the mercury-containing 
components have been removed.
    (c) Generation of waste mercury-containing equipment. (1) Used 
mercury-containing equipment becomes a waste on the date it is 
discarded.
    (2) Unused mercury-containing equipment becomes a waste on the date 
the handler decides to discard it.

0
16. Section 273.9 is amended by adding the definitions of ``Ampule,'' 
and ``Mercury-containing equipment,'' and by revising the definitions 
of ``Large quantity handler of universal waste,'' ``Small quantity 
handler of universal waste,'' and republishing the introductory text 
and revising paragraph (3) of the definition of ``Universal waste'' to 
read as follows:


Sec.  273.9  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Ampule means an airtight vial made of glass, plastic, metal, or any 
combination of these materials.
* * * * *
    Large Quantity Handler of Universal Waste means a universal waste 
handler (as defined in this section) who accumulates 5,000 kilograms or 
more total of universal waste (batteries, pesticides, mercury-
containing equipment, or lamps, calculated collectively) at any time. 
This designation as a large quantity handler of universal waste is 
retained through the end of the calendar year in which the 5,000 
kilogram limit is met or exceeded.
    Mercury-containing equipment means a device or part of a device 
(including thermostats, but excluding batteries and lamps) that 
contains elemental mercury integral to its function.
* * * * *
    Small Quantity Handler of Universal Waste means a universal waste 
handler (as defined in this section) who does not accumulate 5,000 
kilograms or more of universal waste (batteries, pesticides, mercury-
containing equipment, or lamps, calculated collectively) at any time.
* * * * *
    Universal Waste means any of the following hazardous wastes that 
are subject to the universal waste requirements of this part 273:
* * * * *
    (3) Mercury-containing equipment as described in Sec.  273.4; and
* * * * *

Subpart B--Standards for Small Quantity Handlers of Universal Waste

0
17. Section 273.13 is amended by revising paragraph (c) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  273.13  Waste management.

* * * * *
    (c) Mercury-containing equipment. A small quantity handler of 
universal waste must manage universal waste mercury-containing 
equipment in a way that prevents releases of any universal waste or 
component of a universal waste to the environment, as follows:
    (1) A small quantity handler of universal waste must place in a 
container any universal waste mercury-containing equipment with non-
contained elemental mercury or that shows evidence of leakage, 
spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably 
foreseeable conditions. The container must be closed, structurally 
sound, compatible with the contents of the device, must lack evidence 
of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under 
reasonably foreseeable conditions, and must be reasonably designed to 
prevent the escape of mercury into the environment by volatilization or 
any other means.
    (2) A small quantity handler of universal waste may remove mercury-
containing ampules from universal waste mercury-containing equipment 
provided the handler:
    (i) Removes and manages the ampules in a manner designed to prevent 
breakage of the ampules;
    (ii) Removes the ampules only over or in a containment device 
(e.g., tray or pan sufficient to collect and contain any mercury 
released from an ampule in case of breakage);
    (iii) Ensures that a mercury clean-up system is readily available 
to immediately transfer any mercury resulting from spills or leaks from 
broken ampules from that containment device to a container that meets 
the requirements of 40 CFR 262.34;
    (iv) Immediately transfers any mercury resulting from spills or 
leaks from broken ampules from the containment device to a container 
that meets the requirements of 40 CFR 262.34;
    (v) Ensures that the area in which ampules are removed is well 
ventilated and monitored to ensure compliance with applicable OSHA 
exposure levels for mercury;
    (vi) Ensures that employees removing ampules are thoroughly 
familiar with proper waste mercury handling and emergency procedures, 
including transfer of mercury from containment devices to appropriate 
containers;
    (vii) Stores removed ampules in closed, non-leaking containers that 
are in good condition;
    (viii) Packs removed ampules in the container with packing 
materials adequate to prevent breakage during storage, handling, and 
transportation;
    (3) A small quantity handler of universal waste mercury-containing 
equipment that does not contain an ampule may remove the open original 
housing holding the mercury from universal waste mercury-containing 
equipment provided the handler:
    (i) Immediately seals the original housing holding the mercury with 
an air-tight seal to prevent the release of any mercury to the 
environment; and
    (ii) Follows all requirements for removing ampules and managing 
removed ampules under paragraph (c)(2) of this section; and
    (4) (i) A small quantity handler of universal waste who removes 
mercury-containing ampules from mercury-containing equipment or seals 
mercury from mercury-containing equipment in its original housing must 
determine whether the following exhibit a characteristic of hazardous 
waste identified in 40 CFR part 261, subpart C:
    (A) Mercury or clean-up residues resulting from spills or leaks 
and/or
    (B) Other solid waste generated as a result of the removal of 
mercury-containing ampules or housings (e.g., the remaining mercury-
containing device).
    (ii) If the mercury, residues, and/or other solid waste exhibits a 
characteristic of hazardous waste, it must be managed in compliance 
with all applicable requirements of 40 CFR parts 260 through 272. The 
handler is considered the generator of the mercury, residues, and/or 
other waste and must manage it in compliance with 40 CFR part 262.
    (iii) If the mercury, residues, and/or other solid waste is not 
hazardous, the handler may manage the waste in any way that is in 
compliance with applicable federal, state or local solid waste 
regulations.
* * * * *

0
18. Section 273.14 is amended by revising paragraph (d) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  273.14  Labeling/marking.

* * * * *
    (d) (1) Universal waste mercury-containing equipment (i.e., each 
device), or a container in which the equipment is contained, must be 
labeled or marked clearly with any of the following phrases: 
``Universal Waste--Mercury Containing Equipment,'' ``Waste

[[Page 45522]]

Mercury-Containing Equipment,'' or ``Used Mercury-Containing 
Equipment.''
    (2) A universal waste mercury-containing thermostat or container 
containing only universal waste mercury-containing thermostats may be 
labeled or marked clearly with any of the following phrases: 
``Universal Waste--Mercury Thermostat(s),'' ``Waste Mercury 
Thermostat(s),'' or ``Used Mercury Thermostat(s).''
* * * * *

Subpart C--Standards for Large Quantity Handlers of Universal Waste

0
19. Section 273.32 is amended by revising paragraphs (b)(4) and (b)(5) 
to read as follows:


Sec.  273.32  Notification.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (4) A list of all the types of universal waste managed by the 
handler (e.g., batteries, pesticides, mercury-containing equipment, and 
lamps); and
    (5) A statement indicating that the handler is accumulating more 
than 5,000 kilograms of universal waste at one time.

0
20. Section 273.33 is amended by revising paragraph (c) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  273.33  Waste management.

* * * * *
    (c) Mercury-containing equipment. A large quantity handler of 
universal waste must manage universal waste mercury-containing 
equipment in a way that prevents releases of any universal waste or 
component of a universal waste to the environment, as follows:
    (1) A large quantity handler of universal waste must place in a 
container any universal waste mercury-containing equipment with non-
contained elemental mercury or that shows evidence of leakage, 
spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably 
foreseeable conditions. The container must be closed, structurally 
sound, compatible with the contents of the device, must lack evidence 
of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under 
reasonably foreseeable conditions, and must be reasonably designed to 
prevent the escape of mercury into the environment by volatilization or 
any other means.
    (2) A large quantity handler of universal waste may remove mercury-
containing ampules from universal waste mercury-containing equipment 
provided the handler:
    (i) Removes and manages the ampules in a manner designed to prevent 
breakage of the ampules;
    (ii) Removes the ampules only over or in a containment device 
(e.g., tray or pan sufficient to collect and contain any mercury 
released from an ampule in case of breakage);
    (iii) Ensures that a mercury clean-up system is readily available 
to immediately transfer any mercury resulting from spills or leaks of 
broken ampules from that containment device to a container that meets 
the requirements of 40 CFR 262.34;
    (iv) Immediately transfers any mercury resulting from spills or 
leaks from broken ampules from the containment device to a container 
that meets the requirements of 40 CFR 262.34;
    (v) Ensures that the area in which ampules are removed is well 
ventilated and monitored to ensure compliance with applicable OSHA 
exposure levels for mercury;
    (vi) Ensures that employees removing ampules are thoroughly 
familiar with proper waste mercury handling and emergency procedures, 
including transfer of mercury from containment devices to appropriate 
containers;
    (vii) Stores removed ampules in closed, non-leaking containers that 
are in good condition;
    (viii) Packs removed ampules in the container with packing 
materials adequate to prevent breakage during storage, handling, and 
transportation;
    (3) A large quantity handler of universal waste mercury-containing 
equipment that does not contain an ampule may remove the open original 
housing holding the mercury from universal waste mercury-containing 
equipment provided the handler:
    (i) Immediately seals the original housing holding the mercury with 
an air-tight seal to prevent the release of any mercury to the 
environment; and
    (ii) Follows all requirements for removing ampules and managing 
removed ampules under paragraph (c)(2) of this section;
     and
    (4) (i) A large quantity handler of universal waste who removes 
mercury-containing ampules from mercury-containing equipment or seals 
mercury from mercury-containing equipment in its original housing must 
determine whether the following exhibit a characteristic of hazardous 
waste identified in 40 CFR part 261, subpart C:
    (A) Mercury or clean-up residues resulting from spills or leaks 
and/or
    (B) Other solid waste generated as a result of the removal of 
mercury-containing ampules or housings (e.g., the remaining mercury-
containing device).
    (ii) If the mercury, residues, and/or other solid waste exhibits a 
characteristic of hazardous waste, it must be managed in compliance 
with all applicable requirements of 40 CFR parts 260 through 272. The 
handler is considered the generator of the mercury, residues, and/or 
other waste and must manage it in compliance with 40 CFR part 262.
    (iii) If the mercury, residues, and/or other solid waste is not 
hazardous, the handler may manage the waste in any way that is in 
compliance with applicable federal, state or local solid waste 
regulations.

0
21. Section 273.34 is amended by revising paragraph (d) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  273.34  Labeling/marking.

* * * * *
    (d) (1) Mercury-containing equipment (i.e., each device), or a 
container in which the equipment is contained, must be labeled or 
marked clearly with any of the following phrases: ``Universal Waste--
Mercury Containing Equipment,'' ``Waste Mercury-Containing Equipment,'' 
or ``Used Mercury-Containing Equipment.''
    (2) A universal waste mercury-containing thermostat or container 
containing only universal waste mercury-containing thermostats may be 
labeled or marked clearly with any of the following phrases: 
``Universal Waste--Mercury Thermostat(s),'' ``Waste Mercury 
Thermostat(s),'' or ``Used Mercury Thermostat(s).''
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 05-15437 Filed 8-4-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P