BANNOCKBURN, IL – The US Environmental Protection Agency unofficially released a final version of the 2011 proposed revisions to the Definition of Solid Waste rule.

By substituting a verified recycler provision for the subtitle C regulations proposed in 2011, the agency is drawing criticism from industry groups.

IPC is concerned the requirements could prove too onerous to encourage additional facilities to recycle secondary materials. According to the association, the final rule does not provide adequate regulatory relief for manufacturers wishing to do the right thing by recycling valuable secondary materials.

“IPC is disappointed that the DSW rule released today provides insufficient incentives to promote recycling of secondary materials and maintains many onerous and unnecessary requirements proposed in 2011,” said Fern Abrams, IPC director of regulatory affairs and government relations. “The rule retains significant and unnecessary regulatory burdens.”

The 2008 DSW rule had the potential to save industry, including electronics manufacturers, approximately $95 million per year, while simultaneously providing an environmental benefit by reducing waste, says IPC.