Regulatory Update: EPA’s E-Manifest system launch June 30, 2018

EPA’s Electronic Manifest System known as “eManifest” is scheduled to launch on June 30, 2018.  This system has been established according to the Hazardous Waste Electronic Manifest Establishment Act put into law on October 5, 2012.  The system’s goal is to modernize our nations “cradle-to-grave” hazardous waste tracking process.  Here are some important points to consider during this transition.

The new eManifest system offers a centralized single platform hosted by the EPA designed to streamline tracking of all hazardous waste shipped after June 30.  TSDFs will be required to submit manifest data to the EPA for the shipments they receive.  This data will then be made available to all local, state, and federal agencies of interest and, after some time, also publically accessible for research and study purposes.

Once rolled out, eManifest will automate much of the hazardous waste tracking process.  However, some other regulatory agencies that touch these processes have yet to align and automate their systems for the truly successful implementation of a universal waste manifesting, transportation, and tracking system.  One example is that DOT will continue to require paper shipping documents until or unless the hazmat regulations in 49 CFR are amended to align with the new eManifest requirements.  In the interim, EPA has provided for electronically entering an eManifest and printing the manifest for signature and transport.

We expect that there will be no change to our current service process. All hazardous waste shipments will continue to be documented on paper manifests, and EMSI will work with our TSDFs to submit the required data to EPA for those manifests electronically.

In order to accommodate development, management and maintenance costs EPA has established a fee schedule and will begin invoicing TSDFs per manifest submitted.  Although, EPA hasn’t finalized the fee schedule, we are anticipating some changes in fees with our partner TSDFs and will keep you, our valued customer, updated on the final fee structure laid out in these upcoming months.  We will continue to follow developments during this transition to eManifest and share additional information as it comes available.

Please feel free to contact your local Enviroexpert with any questions or concerns you may have regarding the launch of the eManifest system.  For additional information click here to view the published fact sheets.  https://www.epa.gov/e-manifest/frequent-questions-about-e-manifest