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[Repealed] | |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) |