Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Environmental Quality
Board
Virginia Waste Management Board
chapter
Regulated Medical Waste Management Regulations [9 VAC 20 ‑ 121]
Action:
Document Incorporated by Reference Update
Action 6631
 
General Information
Action Summary The Regulated Medical Waste Management Regulations, 9VAC20-121, incorporate by reference the federal interagency guidance document titled “Managing Solid Waste Contaminated with a Category A Infectious Substance (June 2022)”. The federal Category A waste guidance document was updated in April 2024 by the National Security Council-led Countering Biological Threats Interagency Policy Committee, in collaboration with numerous federal agencies, including but not limited to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration. This regulatory action will amend the Regulated Medical Waste Management Regulations to incorporate by reference the latest (2024) version of the document in order to remain consistent with federal guidance and keep the regulated community apprised of the latest guidelines on the management of Category A waste. Category A waste is a subset of regulated medical waste that is contaminated with a Category A infectious substance, a substance which can cause permanent disability or life-threatening or fatal disease in otherwise healthy humans or animals when exposure occurs. Both federal and state regulations have more stringent management standards for Category A waste than for other types of regulated medical waste to prevent the spread of highly infectious disease (such as Ebola Virus). The federal Category A waste guidance document provides critical information about the management of Category A waste, including key procedures and applicable regulations, considerations for waste management planning and decision making, and treatment and inactivation information for specific pathogens classified as Category A infectious substances.
Chapters Affected Only affects this chapter.
Executive Branch Review This action will go through the normal Executive Branch Review process.
RIS Project Yes  [7943]
New Periodic Review This action will not be used to conduct a new periodic review.
 
Stages
Stages associated with this regulatory action.
Stage ID Stage Type Status
10549 Fast-Track DPB Fast-Track authorization in progress.
 
Contact Information
Name / Title: Rebecca Rathe  / Regulatory Analyst
Address: 4411 Early Road
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Email Address: rebecca.rathe@deq.virginia.gov
Phone: (540)830-7241    FAX: ()-    TDD: ()-