CCAR-GreenLink Releases Update on Airbag Disposal/Deployment
CCAR-GreenLink ®, the National Environmental Compliance Assistance Center for Auto Repair and a service of the Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair, has surveyed environmental regulatory agencies in all fifty states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, to determine their policies in place regarding airbags and related issues.

Because of changes in the way in which some state regulatory agencies now view the pre-disposal deployment of airbag and seatbelt pre-tensioner assemblies, it may be time for you to take a new look at the subject.
(February 2008)

EPA Introduces New Self-Evaluation Checklist of Best Practices for Auto Refinish Shops and Schools
EPA's Design for the Environment (DfE) Program developed this tool to help collision repair businesses and career/technical schools evaluate current practices and technologies and identify areas where improvements can be made to protect workers and students from exposure to isocyanates and other hazardous air pollutants during refinish operations.
(January 2008)

Final EPA Paint Rule is Published in Federal Register
The U.S. EPA has published the final version of its new automobile refinish regulation in the January 9, 2008, Federal Register. The new rule includes emissions standards for auto body refinish operations, along with other area sources of hazardous air pollutants.

Click here for a fact sheet on the new rule.

Click here to see the complete document as published in the Federal Register.
(January 2008)

Waste Tire Disposal Resources
CCAR-GreenLink is compiling a list of resources for identifying waste tire disposal information and resources throughout the U.S.
(December 2007)

EPA Issues New Rule for Elemental Mercury in Certain Motor Vehicle Switches
The U.S. EPA has issued a final Significant New Use Rule (SNUR) to require notification to EPA 90 days prior to U.S. manufacture, import, or processing of elemental mercury for use in convenience light switches, anti-lock brake system (ABS) switches, and active ride control system switches in certain motor vehicles. The Agency received and, where appropriate, incorporated comments from the public on the rule, which was proposed on July 11, 2006. The required Significant New Use Notice will provide EPA with the opportunity to evaluate the potential risks of resuming the use of elemental mercury in such switches, and, if necessary, to prohibit or limit such activity before it occurs, in order to prevent unreasonable risk of injury to human health or the environment. Click here to see the new rule.
(November 2007)

EPA Administrator Signs Amended SPCC Rule
On October 1, EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson signed a proposed rule to amend the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule at 40 CFR part 112. With these proposed changes, EPA intends to provide clarity, tailor requirements, and streamline requirements as appropriate in order to encourage greater compliance with the SPCC regulations. EPA is asking for comments on this proposed rule by within 60 days of publication in the Federal Register..
(October 2007)

Hazardous Waste Transportation Resources
CCAR-GreenLink is compiling a list of resources for identifying hazardous waste transporters throughout the U.S.
(August 2007)

CCAR-GreenLink Announces 2006 Survey Drawing Winners
Prizes donated by CARQUEST Auto Parts have been awarded in the drawing from the 2006 CCAR-GreenLink user survey. Congratulations to the winners!
(July 2007)

EPA Extends SPCC Compliance Dates
EPA has issued a final rule to extend the compliance dates for facilities affected by the Oil Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations. EPA has extended the compliance dates in order to provide the time necessary for the regulated community to comply with the revised requirements that EPA expects to propose in 2007.

For facilities (other than a farm) that started operations on or before Aug. 16, 2002, the facility must maintain its existing SPCC plan and amend and implement the plan no later than July 1, 2009. If the facility began operations after Aug. 16, 2002 through July 1, 2009, it must prepare and implement an SPCC plan no later than July 1, 2009. If the facility starts operations after July 1, 2009, it must prepare and implement an SPCC plan before beginning operations.

If a farm started operations on or before Aug. 16, 2002, it must maintain its existing SPCC plan and amend and implement the plan when EPA promulgates a rule specific for farms. If a farm began operations after Aug. 16, 2002, then it must prepare and implement an SPCC plan when EPA promulgates a rule specific for farms..

Click here information on the EPA Oil Program and the SPCC regulations.
(May 2007)

New Asbestos Brochure from U.S. EPA Targets Auto Mechanics
EPA has released a new brochure that provides health and safety information for professional and do-it-yourself mechanics who may work with asbestos-containing automotive components. Current Best Practices for Preventing Asbestos Exposure Among Brake and Clutch Repair Workers emphasizes the need to prevent asbestos fibers from escaping into the air during repair work.

While it is impossible to tell if clutch and brake components contain asbestos, the booklet advises that mechanics should automatically assume the possible presence of asbestos. The booklet emphasizes the warning against blowing dust from brakes and clutches with compressed air. It also details three recognized methods for containing asbestos dust in a professional automotive shop.

The booklet provides a list of do's and don'ts for do-it-yourself mechanics. They include using pre-ground, ready-to-install parts and not taking work clothing inside the house to prevent exposing family members to asbestos dust.

Click here for the new brochure.
(April 2007)

OSHA Issues Guidance for New Hexavalent Chromium Standard
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued safety and health guidance to help small businesses comply with the Agency's new hexavalent chromium(Cr(VI)) standard. The guidance document includes requirements for general industry [including automotive refinishing facilities], as well as construction and shipyards.

"This new resource is aimed at helping small businesses comply with the new standards, while helping them reduce the risk to employees potentially exposed to these compounds," said OSHA Administrator Edwin G. Foulke, Jr.

The guide describes the steps that employers are required to take to protect employees from hazards associated with exposure to Cr(VI). It is divided into sections that address the major provisions of the standards, and follows the same organization as the corresponding paragraph of the standards. However, the guide provides more detail than the standards to help employers better understand the requirements.

Click here to read the complete OSHA announcement regarding the guidance document.

CCAR previously posted a summary document on the new Cr(VI) standard following its publication in the Federal Register on Feb. 28, 2006. Click here to read the summary document.
(October 2006)

New Manifest Form Required for All Hazardous Waste Handlers
Effective September 5, 2006, all hazardous waste generators and treatment, storage, and disposal facilities must use EPA's new standardized hazardous waste manifest form. The standardized form will save waste handlers and regulators time and money, while guaranteeing the continued, safe management of hazardous waste.

Information on the Standardized Manifest Form: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/gener/manifest/

List of EPA-approved printers for the forms: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/gener/manifest/registry/printers.htm

Free video training on the new hazardous waste manifest form is now available for all industries from the Printers' National Environmental Assistance Center that introduces the new manifest form, highlights the differences between the new and the previous manifest form, and provides specific instructions to generators, transporters and treatment/storage/disposal facilities for completing the new manifest. Click here to access the training.
(September 2006)

EPA Introduces National Mercury Switch Recovery Program
The U.S. EPA has announced a national program that will help cut mercury air emissions by up to 75 tons over the next 15 years. The National Vehicle Mercury Switch Recovery Program is designed to remove mercury-containing light switches from scrap vehicles before the vehicles are flattened, shredded, and melted to make new steel.
(August 2006)

EPA Releases "Scrap Tire Cleanup Guidebook"
In an effort to reduce scrap tire piles around the country, the U.S. EPA and the State of Illinois have created the "Scrap Tire Cleanup Guidebook: A Resource for Solid Waste Managers Across the United States." The new "how-to" guidebook is written for tire manufacturers, state and local government, regulators, auto recyclers and collectors.
(June 2006)

Back to CCAR-GreenLink®


Click here to send questions or comments to CCAR®.