| Hazard Characteristics of Waste | | |
Effective June 1, 2015, EU Regulation 1357/2014 revolutionized the classification of hazardous waste. The new system, based on the HP (Hazard Property) codes, allows for a more precise identification of the hazardous properties of each type of waste (from HP1: explosive, to HP15: other properties). This detailed classification is essential for ensuring the safe and legally compliant management of waste, enabling the adoption of the most appropriate prevention and control measures.- HP 1 Explosive
- HP 2 Oxidizing
- HP 3 Flammable
- HP 4 Irritant: skin irritation and eye damage
- HP 5 Specific Target Organ Toxicity (STOT) or Toxicity by Inhalation
- HP 6 Acute toxicity
- HP 7 Carcinogenic
- HP 8 Corrosive
- HP 9 Infectious
- HP 10 Reproductive toxicity
- HP 11 Mutagenic
- HP 12 Release of acutely toxic gases
- HP 13 Sensitizing
- HP 14 Ecotoxic
- HP 15 May subsequently exhibit a hazard characteristic
Annex I of Part IV incorporates Annex III of Directive 2008/98/EU, as amended by Regulation (EU) No. 1357/2014 of December 18, 2014. It sets forth the hazard characteristics for hazardous waste. The assignment of hazard characteristic HP 14 “Ecotoxic” is based on the criteria established by Council Regulation (EU) 2017/997 of June 8, 2017.
Hazard classes in detail- HP 1 “Explosive”: waste that may, through a chemical reaction, generate gases at a temperature, pressure, and rate sufficient to cause damage to the surrounding area. This includes pyrotechnic waste, waste containing explosive organic peroxides, and self-reactive explosive waste.
- HP 2 “Oxidizing”: waste capable, generally by supplying oxygen, of causing or promoting the combustion of other materials.
- HP 3: “Flammable”:
- flammable liquid waste: liquid waste with a flash point below 60 °C, or waste consisting of gasoline, diesel fuels, and light heating oils with a flash point above 55 °C and 75 °C or below;
- pyrophoric flammable solid and liquid waste: solid or liquid waste that, even in small quantities, can ignite in less than five minutes when it comes into contact with air;
- flammable solid waste: solid waste that is highly flammable or that can cause or contribute to a fire through friction;
- flammable gaseous waste: gaseous waste that ignites upon contact with air at 20 °C and at a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa;
- water-reactive waste: waste that, upon contact with water, releases flammable gases in hazardous quantities;
- other flammable wastes: flammable aerosols, flammable self-heating wastes, flammable organic peroxides, and flammable self-reactive wastes.
- HP 4 “Irritant — Skin Irritation and Eye Damage”: waste whose application may cause skin irritation or eye damage.
- HP 5 “Specific Target Organ Toxicity (STOT)/Toxicity upon Inhalation”: waste that may cause specific target organ toxicity following single or repeated exposure, or may cause acute toxic effects following inhalation.
- HP 6 “Acute Toxicity”: Waste that may cause acute toxic effects following oral or dermal administration, or following exposure by inhalation.
- HP 7 “Carcinogen”: waste that causes cancer or increases its incidence.
- HP 8 “Corrosive”: waste whose application may cause skin corrosion.
- HP 9 “Infectious”: waste containing viable microorganisms or their toxins that are known to cause, or are reasonably believed to cause, disease in humans or other living organisms.
- HP 10 “Reproductive Toxin”: waste that has harmful effects on the sexual function and fertility of adult men and women, as well as on the development of offspring.
- HP 11 “Mutagenic”: waste that can cause a mutation, i.e., a permanent change in the quantity or structure of a cell’s genetic material.
- HP 12 “Release of Acute Toxic Gases”: waste that releases acute toxic gases (Acute Tox. 1, 2, or 3) upon contact with water or an acid.
- HP 13 “Sensitizing”: waste that contains one or more substances known to cause sensitization of the skin or respiratory organs.
- HP 14 “Ecotoxic”: waste that poses or may pose immediate or delayed risks to one or more environmental compartments.
- HP 15 “Waste that does not directly possess one of the aforementioned hazardous characteristics but may develop it subsequently.”
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Characterization
Analysis Chemical characterization analyses of waste as is are used to determine the chemical composition of a waste sample. These analyses are used to identify the presence of any hazardous or toxic substances and to assess contamination levels. Characterization analysis is essential for so-called mirror wastes—that is, when there is both a hazardous and a non-hazardous EER/CER code. | Leaching
Test The analysis of a waste eluate (also known as a leaching test) allows for the assessment of a waste’s stability and hazardousness during management and disposal. This test determines whether a waste stream is safe to handle, whether it can be recycled, or whether it must be disposed of safely. The test involves a solid-liquid extraction process, in which the sample is immersed in a solvent (distilled water) for a typical duration of 24 hours. The subsequent analysis of the chemical compounds released into the resulting eluate aims to quantify the fraction of soluble contaminants present in the solid sample. This test is useful for assessing the environmental risk associated with the waste by identifying chemicals that could contaminate groundwater and soil. The leaching test is required, in particular, to verify the waste’s eligibility for landfill disposal. Obviously, it is not possible to obtain an eluate from liquid waste; therefore, the leaching test applies only to solid waste. | |
Confirmation of the EER/CER
Code Each waste stream must be analyzed to confirm the correct assignment of the EER/CER code assigned to the waste by its producer and, in the case of non-hazardous waste, to rule out the presence of substances that could render it hazardous. Following the analyses, the laboratory will issue a certificate containing an assessment of the waste under investigation, indicating its potential hazardous nature and the confirmed EER/CER code. | |
Assignment of Hazard
Characteristics In the certificate issued by the laboratory for hazardous waste only, based on the analytical results obtained, the hazard characteristics—known as hazard classes—will be indicated, denoted by the codes HP1 through HP15. These are extremely important for the proper management of hazardous waste during transportation and disposal operations. | |
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