Online Services | Commonwealth Sites | Help | Governor

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality's logo

Waste regulations - Chapter 120

Regulated medical waste management regulations

These regulations set standards for the storage, transportation and treatment of regulated medical waste. Regulated medical waste may be stored, steam sterilized, incinerated or treated by an acceptable alternative mechanism, and then exclusively in a facility permitted under the regulations. Innovative treatment technology may be allowed if the effectiveness of the treatment can be demonstrated. A summary of the application process for regulated medical waste management facilities can be found here .

In certain cases, transportation of regulated medical waste by medical personnel requires no prior certification to DEQ. But commercial operators must file a certification that their businesses meet the requirements, before accepting infectious material for transport. In all cases, the transportation of regulated medical waste is subject to the federal requirements in 49 CFR 171 through 178. A current list of registered transporters and the online application for registering can be found online here  .

The identification of regulated medical waste as well as those items that are exempt from regulation is an important part of understanding the regulation of medical devices when they are disposed. Provided here are examples of items that are exempt from regulation and are not considered "regulated medical waste" as well as some items that are considered "regulated medical waste."

The Legislative Information Database contains the text of regulations currently in effect. Links to individual sections of the regulations are listed below. The entire text of a regulation can be obtained by using the Legislative Information Database http://leg1.state.va.us/000/reg/TOC09020.HTM Once in the database, first select the chapter of interest and then choose the "create report" option beside the name of the chapter. To obtain the entire text of a regulation, including forms and documents incorporated by reference, leave the section numbers blank on the report screen. Additional information concerning creating reports from the Legislative Information Database is available at http://leg1.state.va.us/h009.htm

Please Note: The following links take you off the DEQ web site. To return here use the BACK feature of your browser. 

Part I
Definitions
Definitions
Part II
Legislative Authority and General Information
[Repealed]
Purpose of regulations
Administration of regulations
Applicability of regulations
Severability
Relationship to other bodies of regulation
Part III
Identification and Listing of Regulated Medical Waste
Purpose and scope
Materials rendered nonregulated
Recycled materials
Documentation of claims that materials are not solid wastes or are conditionally exempt from regulation
Exemptions to the regulations
Exclusions
Characteristics of regulated medical waste
Lists of controlled regulated medical wastes
Part IV
General Requirements
Permit required
Exemptions from permitting
Persons qualifying for an on-site permit by rule
Financial assurance requirements
Responsibility for packaging and labeling
Packaging prior to storage, treatment or transport
Labeling requirements
Etiological agents
Sharps
Protection of packagers
Special requirements for reusable containers
Spill containment and cleanup kit
Containment and cleanup procedures
Closure requirements
Methods of treatment and disposal
Recordkeeping requirements
Management of radioactive materials
Part V
Special Requirements for Storage Facilities
Application
Sanitation
Access
Temperature control and storage period
Drainage and ventilation
Facilities for management of reusable carts or containers
Container management
Part VI
Special Requirements for Transportation
Application
Sanitation
Access
Temperature control and storage period
Drainage
Packaging and labeling
Management of spills of regulated medical waste
Loading and unloading
Registration of transporters
Transport by mail
Transport using reusable carts or containers
[Reserved]
Part VII
Special Requirements for Incineration
Application
Performance standards
Analysis and management of the ash product; procedure; results and records; disposition of ash; ash storage
Compliance with other parts of this chapter
Unloading operations
[Reserved]
Part VIII
Special Requirements for Steam Sterilization
Application
Performance standards
Disposal of treated wastes
Compliance with other parts of this chapter
[Reserved]
Part IX
Special Requirements for Alternative Treatment
Application
Performance standards
Disposal of treated wastes
Compliance with other parts of this chapter
[Reserved]
Part X
Permit Application and Issuance Procedures
Scope
Applicability; exemptions from permit requirements; off-site permits by rule; experimental facility permits; variances
Permit conditions
Notice of intent
Submission requirements
Operational information
Effect of the permit
Closure care
Recording and reporting required of a permittee
[Repealed]
Amendment of permits
Duration of permits
Existing facilities qualifications
General
Application and conditions
Effects of the decisions
Submission of petition
Petition processing
Petition resolution
General
Criteria for microbial inactivation
Representative of biological indicators
Quantification of microbial inactivation
Efficacy testing protocols
Technology approval process
Site approval process
User verification
Small medical waste treatment devices
Waste residue disposal
Operator training
FORMS (9VAC20-120)