On May 30, 2017, the U.S. EPA final Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule (New Rule) went into effect in states and territories without a RCRA-authorized hazardous waste program (Alaska, Iowa, the Indian Nations, and the territories Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. Virgin Islands). RCRA-authorized states must adopt the more stringent provisions of the New Rule by July 1, 2019, at the latest.

Appropriate changes have been made to the BLR federal regulatory analysis for this and other topics affected by the New Rule. Changes to parallel state regulatory analyses will be made as states revise their regulations to comply with the New Rule. Until then, RCRA-authorized states will follow their current state hazardous waste regulations. The Critical 2017/2018 Hazardous Waste Generator Information in this national topic provides essential guidance on the currently applicable state regulations.