New Quick Reference Guide Requirements for Hazardous Waste Generators in New Hampshire as of August 1st, 2025

On August 1, 2025, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) adopted amended rules for Hazardous Waste Generators (Env-Hw 500), in part to align with EPA’s Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule (81 FR 85732, November 28, 2016).  As part of the update, the generator categories referenced in Env-Hw 500 have been changed to be consistent with the EPA’s generator categories as shown below.

Current SQGs and LQGs (formerly known as “full quantity generators”) are now required to prepare a Quick Reference Guide the next time their facility’s Contingency Plan is amended and submit the Quick Reference Guide along with their contingency plan to local emergency responders.  Quick Reference Guides are intended to provide emergency responders with concise information that is useable in the early stages of an incident response.  

The site specific Quick Reference Guide must include the following elements:

1. The types/names of hazardous wastes in layman's terms and the associated hazard associated with each hazardous waste present at any one time;
2. The estimated maximum amount of each hazardous waste that may be present at any one time;
3. The identification of any hazardous wastes where exposure would require unique or special treatment by medical or hospital staff;
4. A map of the facility showing where hazardous wastes are generated, accumulated and treated and routes for accessing these wastes;
5. A street map of the facility in relation to surrounding businesses, schools and residential areas to understand how best to get to the facility and also evacuate citizens and workers;
6. The locations of water supply;
7. The identification of on-site notification systems; and
8. The name of the emergency coordinator(s) and 7/24-hour emergency telephone number(s) or, in the case of a facility where an emergency coordinator is continuously on duty, the emergency telephone number for the emergency coordinator.

For more information, contact Samuel Despins, P.E., CHMM at samuel.despins@gza.com.