Where will the Pharm Waste Rule be in Effect on August 21st?

By [ Kevin Gibney ]
08/09/2019

EPA's new Pharmaceutical Waste Rule is almost here but not everywhere at the same time. Federally, the rule goes into effect on August 21^stand on that date, the prohibition on sewer disposal of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals will apply in all states. However, this is not the case for the rest of the rule as each state is different is how they adopt federal hazardous waste rules.

In some states, the rule will be in effect on August 21^st, while others may take until 2022. States are not required to adopt the nicotine related amendments that makes nicotine replacement therapies such as gums and patches nonhazardous, as this is considered less stringent than the current rules. (Note that this does NOT include other types of nicotine products such as e-cigarettes and related cartridges and vials, and prescription nicotine.)

On August 21, the rule will be in effect in states that don't manage their own waste programs or that adopt the federal rules by reference. These jurisdictions are:

Alaska
Florida
Iowa
Kentucky
New Jersey
New Mexico
Pennsylvania
Virginia (on August 23^rd)
Puerto Rico and
all US territories

In North Carolina, the amendment regarding nicotine will be in effect on August 21^st while the rest of the rule will need to be adopted, which can take up to a year.

The Retail Compliance Center will be tracking state adoption of this rule. This tracking matrix will include information on publication dates, public hearing dates, comment periods and meeting notices, and variations between state and federal regulations.

For notification when this tool is launched, sign up for RCC Alerts.

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