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Regulations & Permits > Closed rulemaking > WAC173-303

Chapter 173-303 WAC

On September 30, 2020, we adopted Chapter 173-303 Washington Administrative Code (WAC), Dangerous Waste Regulations. These regulations set standards for safely managing state dangerous wastes. Chapter 173-303 WAC implements Chapter 70.105 RCW and Subtitle C of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Washington uses the term dangerous waste while the federal government uses the term hazardous waste. The term dangerous waste includes more waste than are in the federal hazardous waste definition because Washington’s rules are more protective.

The Department of Ecology (Ecology) adopted specific sections of chapter 173-303 WAC Dangerous Waste Regulations to incorporate new federal hazardous waste rules, including but not limited to:

  1. Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals and Amendments to the P075 Listing for Nicotine. 84 FR 5816; February 22, 2019
  2. Safe Management of Recalled Airbags. 83 FR 61552; November 30, 2018
  3. Hazardous Waste Management System: User Fees for the Electronic Hazardous Waste Manifest System and Amendments to Manifest Regulations. 83 FR 420; January 3, 2018

State-initiated amendments will also include:

  1. Corrections and clarifications to the Generator Improvements rule and other dangerous waste rules adopted January 28, 2019.
  2. Updating Biological Testing Methods for the Designation of Dangerous Waste, publication 80-12.
  3. Other clarifications and corrections as necessary.

Read our Frequently Asked Questions for more information on this rulemaking.

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Rulemaking timeline

Timeline

Announcement phase (CR-101)

Filing date:
Aug. 2, 2019


Announcement documents

Rule development phase

Aug. 2, 2019 - Winter 2019



Public input & involvement

An informal comment period was held Nov. 22 through Dec. 23, 2019. Documents available for review included:

  • Summary of draft rule amendment language
  • Draft rule amendment language for Dangerous Waste Regulations (PDF)
  • Biological Testing Methods for the Designation of Dangerous Waste (publication 80-12).

Read Ecology's response to public comments:

Rule proposal phase (CR-102)

Filing date:
March 25, 2020

Rule proposal documents:

Review available documents related to the 60-day public comment period:

Comment period

Comments due May 26, 2020

  • View comments received.
     
  • Mail to:
    Robert Rieck
    Department of Ecology
    Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program
    PO Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600

    For parcel service:
    Robert Rieck
    Department of Ecology
    Hazardous Waste and Toxics Reduction Program
    300 Desmond Dr. SE
    Lacey, WA 98503
     
  • Attend a Public Hearing – see below

Public hearing (webinar) May 5, 2020

At this time Ecology is not holding an in-person public hearing, due to the current public health concerns. This webinar meets legal requirements for a rulemaking public hearing.

This is an online meeting that you can attend from any computer using internet access. The hearing will begin with a short presentation and question and answer session, followed by the opportunity to provide testimony.

Webinar presentation now available

Public Hearing: Participate via Webinar (see below) 

Date: May 5, 2020

Time: 1 p.m.

Location: Online, Join the webinar

Ecology will accept comments through the webinar. We recommend you provide your phone number when you join the event to receive a free call back from the system. Or, for audio only, call toll free 1-415-655-0001 and enter access code 800 035 845.

Any information (e.g., personal or contact) you provide may be publicly disclosed and posted on the Internet.

To request ADA accommodations, contact Ecology’s ADA Coordinator by April 30, 2020 at:

Rule adoption phase (CR-103)

Adoption date:
Sept. 30, 2020


Rule effective date:
Oct. 31, 2020


Rule implementation information:

Additional languages

Español (Spanish) 中文 (Chinese) Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese) 한국어 (Korean)

Related links

Contact information

Rob Rieck 
Rulemaking Lead
hwtrrulemaking@ecy.wa.gov
360-407-6751

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Accessibility

To request ADA accommodation for disabilities, or printed materials in a format for the visually impaired, contact Ecology's ADA Coordinator by email at ecyadacoordinator@ecy.wa.gov, or call 360-407-6831. People with impaired hearing may call Washington Relay Service at 711. People with speech disability may call TTY at 877-833-6341.