SGIA Submits Comments to Maine on Solvent-Contaminated Wipes Rule

On January 23, 2017, SGIA, as part of a group of industry representatives that make up the Graphic Arts Coalition (GAC), submitted comments to Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection regarding their proposed rule on industrial cleaning solvent exemptions. The GAC actively participated with the EPA in developing a federal rule on this issue, and the comments submitted were supportive of the Agency’s proposal to incorporate in the state of Maine the US EPA’s provisions regarding the handling and disposal of solvent contaminated wipes. However, the goal of the federal EPA rule was to ensure consistency regarding this issue. The GAC felt that the rule had several differences that would make it difficult to consistently enforce this rule. One major difference is that the Maine rule requires that handlers of an in-state generator’s solvent-contaminated wipes must also be in Maine or another state with an equivalent rule. The GAC advocated for the removal of this requirement, which may be difficult or costly for our industry. Further, the state rule contained duplicative and unnecessary language that the GAC supported removing in order to stay consistent with the EPA rule. SGIA will continue to monitor updates on this important piece of legislation. Sign up to receive the most up-to-date regulatory and legislative information about specialty imaging.