The First Facility Management Blog

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing revisions to certain regulatory requirements for hazardous waste shipments between countries to ensure that recovery is done in an environmentally sound and economically efficient manner. These changes would make the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act’s (RCRA) hazardous waste transboundary shipment regulations more consistent with those of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Hazardous waste is often shipped between countries for recovery. EPA has established an extensive set of regulations under RCRA governing the shipment of hazardous waste within the United States. Additionally, the United States participates in a number of bilateral waste agreements between countries and in the multilateral waste agreement controlling the shipment of hazardous waste for recovery between OECD Member countries.

Specifically, this rule proposes to revise:

• The existing RCRA regulation regarding the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes for recovery among countries belonging to the OECD to conform to legally required revisions made by the OECD
• The RCRA regulations for spent lead-acid batteries to add export notification and consent requirements
• The hazardous waste import requirements
• The address to which export exception reports are to be sent

Comments will be accepted for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register, which is expected by tomorrow, October 3, 2008.

More information is available at www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/international/oecd-slab-rule.htm.

ASHRAE is currently accepting public input on more than 35 proposed addenda to standards as well as a proposal to withdraw Standard 52.1. Addendum to various standards, including 15 (refrigerate safety), 34 (classification of refrigerants), 55 (thermal comfort), 90.1 (energy efficiency), 62.1 (ventilation), 62.2 (residential ventilation), and 135 (BACnet) are open for review, as are seven standards and one guideline. Compete information can be found at www.ashrae.org/publicreviews.
 Among them is the proposed withdrawal of ASHRAE Standard 52.1-1992, Gravimetric and Dust Spot Procedures for Testing Air Cleaning Devices Used in General Ventilation for Removing Particulate Matter.

The most important features of this standard, dust holding capacity and arrestance, have been incorporated into Standard 52.2-2008, Method of Testing General Ventilation Air Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by Particle Size. The only unique features remaining in Standard 52.1 are the dust spot efficiency tests—now replaced particle size efficiency tests in 52.2—and a renewable filter test not used by the industry for decades, according to Monroe Britt, committee chair.


Among the proposed addenda to Standard 90.1 is addenddum ap, which would modify the requirements for demand control ventilation; adding the demand controlled ventilation requirements to the simplified approach in order to keep the stringency of this path the same as the mandatory plus prescriptive path of compliance. Also proposed is a change to addendum af to modify energy savings requirements to recognized varied piping material pressure drops.


Six proposed addenda to Standard 62.1 are open for comment, including a proposal regarding outdoor air cleaning. Addendum 62.1c adds significant air cleaning requirements in many locations within the United States. Regarding particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and smaller, for buildings in those U.S. locations established as non-attainment for PM2.5 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 62.1c would require that the ventilation system include particle filters rated at least MERV 11 (installed between the outdoor air intake and the occupied zone). Regarding ozone air cleaning, the proposed addendum would require that the ventilation system include ozone air cleaners rated for at least 40% ozone removal efficiency. 

Steelcase, a global office environments manufacturer, was recently granted a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody Certification by Scientific Certification Systems (SCS), an independent third party accredited by the FSC to certify companies to its international standards. The certification highlights Steelcase’s ability to meet the FSC tracking requirements for ensuring that the materials used to develop its wood products come from a well managed forest.

By working with well managed forest, these woodlands can provide a continuous yield of raw materials and remain the home for numerous animal species. Loggers use special techniques to harvest the wood without causing environmental damage. In a forest that is not responsibly managed, loggers perform clear cutting, high grading, and over harvesting which can take an area out of production for over 50 years. Steelcase’s efforts to operate sustainably span the history of the company as purchased wood veneer comes from sustainable sources.

“It is an honor to receive this FSC certification as it affirms Steelcase’s commitment to cradle to cradle environment processes,” says Nancy Hickey, senior vice president, chief administrative officer of Steelcase. “From design to production, we are constantly seeking more effective ways to conserve resources, prevent pollution, and nurture environmental consciousness. FSC certification demonstrates that Steelcase’s responsible practices extend to the very beginning of the product lifecycle by utilizing responsibly managed forests.”

Founded in 1992 following the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, the first FSC certification was issued in 1993. FSC certification for a company demonstrates that it can perform to the highest social and environmental standards in the market in wood product sourcing. Additionally, as governments around the world enforce stricter environmental regulations in their purchasing programs, FSC certification protects a corporation’s brand and reputation in the international market.

The Steelcase wood business operates out of the world’s first LEED certified manufacturing facility. The facility opened in 2001 and has since made additional changes to allow the facility and its operations to become more sustainable. Notable is the recent change from solvent based to water based finishes; this has contributed to a reduction in VOCs by 91% since 2001.

This FSC Certification comes on the heels of other recent environmental accomplishments by Steelcase, including the most cradle to cradle (C2C) product certifications in the industry as well as the first wood casegood to be C2C certified. These products are additionally certified by Indoor Advantage, receiving awards from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WasteWise program for the past six years for the company’s efforts in waste prevention, recycling collection, and manufacturing recycled content products. Steelcase was also recognized for signing an agreement to purchase all of the green power produced from a new wind farm in Texas for at least five years, publication of the company’s inaugural corporate responsibility report, and creating a Green Giants campaign that highlights sustainable leaders that have made strides in giving back to the community from an environmental perspective.