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  2. Hazardous Waste Test Methods / SW-846

Final Rule: Methods Innovation Rule

Basic Information

Legal Authority
42 U.S.C. §7412 and 7414
42 U.S.C. §6905, 6921(a), 6921-6927, 6930, 6934-6939, and 6974

Federal Register Citation
67 FR 66252-66301 (PDF)(50 pp, 380 K)
70 FR 34538-34592 (PDF)(55 pp, 411 K)
70 FR 44150-44151 (PDF)(2 pp, 168 K)

Code of Federal Regulations
40 CFR Part 63
40 CFR Part 258
40 CFR Parts 260-261
40 CFR Parts 264-266
40 CFR Part 268
40 CFR Parts 270-271

Docket Number:
EPA-HQ-RCRA-2002-0025

Effective Date: 06/14/2005

The Methods Innovation Rule (MIR) is an important step toward a performance-based measurement system, and part of the Agency's efforts toward "Innovating for Better Results." In general, the MIR allows more flexibility when conducting Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)-related sampling and analysis.

On this page:

  • Rule Summary
  • Rule History

Rule Summary

On June 14, 2005, EPA implemented an action amending the RCRA test methods regulatory requirements in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts 63, 258, 260, 261, 264, 265, 266, 268, 270, 271, and 279. This ruling is applicable to:

  • Waste sampling and analysis for RCRA-related activities.
  • Waste sampling and analysis for National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP)-related activities.

The rule allows for some flexibility in most SW-846 methods. As a result of the rule’s passing, laboratories may:

  • Modify SW-846 methods, provided the modified method meets the defined quality assurance parameters established in the method or defined for the project.
  • Use non-SW-846 methods, provided the method falls within EPA’s parameter to protect human health and the environment.

All SW-846 methods are covered by this rule except for methods that involve determination of method-defined parameters (MDPs), listed below, which must be followed to the letter for regulatory compliance.

EPA made seven technical corrections to improve the clarity of the Methods Innovation Rule on August 1, 2005. These changes correct minor spelling errors and table inconsistencies.

  • Read the technical corrections to the final rule.
  • View the 2005 final rule in the Federal Register.

Method-Defined Parameters

Method-defined parameters are physical or chemical properties of materials determined with specific methods used to evaluate whether the materials comply with certain RCRA Subtitle C regulations. Method-defined parameters can only be determined by the methods prescribed in RCRA regulations because the methods are part of the regulations. These methods (listed below) must be followed exactly as written, or the resulting data cannot be used to ensure regulatory compliance. In addition to the table below, a list of method-defined parameters may be found at 40 CFR Section 260.11.

MDP Method Number MDP Method Title
0010 Modified Method 5 Sampling Train
0011 Sampling for Selected Aldehyde and Ketone Emissions from Stationary Sources
0020 Source Assessment sampling System
0023A Sampling Method for Polychlorinated Dibenzo-p-Dioxins and Polychlorinated Dibenzofuran Emissions from Stationary Sources
0030 Volatile Organics Sampling Train
0031 Sampling Method For Volatile Organic Compounds
0040 Sampling of Principle Organic Hazardous Constituents From Combustion Sources Using Tedlar® Bags
0050 Isokinetic HCl/Cl2 Emission Sampling Train
0051 Midget Impinger HCl/Cl2 Emission Sampling Train
0060 Determination of Metals in Stack Emissions
0061 Determinations of Hexavalent Chromium Emissions from Stationary Sources
1010B Test Methods for Flash Point by Pensky-Martens Closed-Cup Tester
1020C Standard Test Methods for Flash Point by Setaflash (Small Scale) Closed-Cup Apparatus
1110A Corrosivity Toward Steel
1310B Extraction Procedure (EP) Toxicity Test Method and Structural Integrity Test
1311 Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure
1312 Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure
1320 Multiple Extraction Procedure
1330A Extraction Procedure for Oily Wastes
9010C Total and Amenable Cyanide: Distillation
9012B Total and Amenable Cyanide (Automated Colorimetric, with Off-Line Distillation)
9040C pH Electrometric Measurement
9045D Soil and Waste pH
9060A Total Organic Carbon
9070A n-Hexane Extractable Material for Aqueous Samples
Refer to Method 1664, Publication No. EPA-821-R-98-002
9071B n-Hexane Extractable Material for Sludge, Sediment, and Solid Samples
9095B Paint Filter Liquids Test

Rule History

EPA first released the SW-846 publication in 1980 to support RCRA-related sampling and analysis. The compendium intended to serve as a guidance manual of generally appropriate and reliable analytical methods for environmental monitoring and compliance. Some of the regulations required the use of SW-846 methods, and therefore the publication was incorporated by reference at 40 CFR Section 260.11(a).

Revisiting SW-846: Notice of Intent

Since the 1980s, EPA determined that some of the required uses of SW-846 were not necessary. In addition, members of the regulated community requested the opportunity to use other reliable methods to comply with RCRA. On May 8, 1998, EPA proposed to remove certain required uses of SW-846 methods, and to allow more flexibility in test method selection.

  • Refer to the notice of intent in the Federal Register.

Proposing Methods Innovation Rule

Subsequently, on October 30, 2002, the Agency proposed to amend the hazardous and nonhazardous solid waste regulations for testing and monitoring activities.

  • Refer to the 2002 proposed rule in the Federal Register.

Hazardous Waste Test Methods / SW-846

  • Which Method to Use
  • Chapters and Methods
  • Update VII to SW-846
  • Validated Test Methods
  • Frequent Questions
  • Waste Sampling Guidance
  • SW-846 Guidance Memoranda
Contact Us About Hazardous Waste Test Methods
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on July 15, 2024
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