[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 40, Volume 23]
[Revised as of July 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 40CFR165.45]

[Page 198-200]
 
                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
 
         CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 165_PESTICIDE MANAGEMENT AND DISPOSAL--Table of Contents
 
       Subpart C_Refillable Container Standards: Container Design
 
Sec. 165.45  Refillable container standards.

    (a) What Department of Transportation (DOT) standards do my 
refillable containers have to meet under this part if my pesticide 
product is not a DOT hazardous material? (1) A pesticide product that 
does not meet the definition of a hazardous material in 49 CFR 171.8 
must be packaged in a refillable container that is designed, 
constructed, and marked to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR 
173.24, 173.24a, 173.24b, 173.28, 173.155, 173.203, 173.213, 173.240(c), 
173.240(d), 173.241(c), 173.241(d), part 178, and part 180 that are 
applicable to a Packing Group III material.
    (2) A refiller is not required to comply with 49 CFR 173.28(b)(2) 
for pesticide products that are not DOT hazardous materials if the 
refillable container to be reused complies with the refillable container 
regulations in this subpart and the refilling is done in compliance with 
the repackaging regulations in subpart D of this part.
    (b) What DOT standards do my refillable containers have to meet 
under this part if my pesticide product is a DOT hazardous material? (1) 
If your pesticide product meets the definition of a hazardous material 
in 49 CFR 171.8, the DOT requires your pesticide product to be packaged 
according to 49 CFR parts 171-180.
    (2) For the purposes of these regulations, a pesticide product that 
meets the definition of a hazardous material in 49 CFR 171.8 must be 
packaged in a refillable container that is designed, constructed, and 
marked to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR parts 171-180.
    (c) What will EPA do if DOT proposes to change any of the cross-
referenced regulations? If the DOT proposes to change any of the 
regulations that are incorporated in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this 
section, EPA will provide notice of the proposed changes and an 
opportunity to comment in the Federal Register. Following notice and 
comment, EPA will take final action regarding whether or not to revise 
its rules, and the extent to which any such

[[Page 199]]

revision will correspond with revised DOT regulations.
    (d) What standards for marking do my refillable containers have to 
meet? Each refillable container must be marked in a durable and clearly 
visible manner with a serial number or other identifying code that will 
distinguish the individual container from all other containers. Durable 
marking includes, but is not limited to, etching, embossing, ink 
jetting, stamping, heat stamping, mechanically attaching a plate, 
molding, and marking with durable ink. The serial number or other 
identifying code must be located on the outside part of the container 
except on a closure. Placement on the label or labeling is not 
sufficient unless the label is an integral, permanent part of or 
permanently stamped on the container.
    (e) What standards for openings do my refillable containers have to 
meet? If your refillable container is a portable pesticide container 
that is designed to hold liquid pesticide formulations and is not a 
cylinder that complies with the DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations, 
each opening of the container other than a vent must have a one-way 
valve, a tamper-evident device or both. A one-way valve may be located 
in a device or system separate from the container if the device or 
system is the only reasonably foreseeable way to withdraw pesticide from 
the container. A vent must be designed to minimize the amount of 
material that could be introduced into the container through it.
    (f) What standards do my stationary pesticide containers have to 
meet? If a stationary pesticide container designed to hold undivided 
quantities of pesticides equal to greater than 500 gallons (1,890 
liters) of liquid pesticide or equal to or greater than 4,000 pounds 
(1,818 kilograms) of dry pesticide is located at the refilling 
establishment of a refiller operating under written contract to you, the 
stationary pesticide container must meet the following standards:
    (1) Except during a civil emergency or any unanticipated grave 
natural disaster or other natural phenomenon of an exceptional, 
inevitable and irresistible character, the effects of which could not 
have been prevented or avoided by the exercise of due care or foresight, 
each stationary pesticide container (for liquid and dry pesticides) and 
its appurtenances must meet both of the following standards:
    (i) Each stationary pesticide container and its appurtenances must 
be resistant to extreme changes in temperature and constructed of 
materials that are adequately thick to not fail and that are resistant 
to corrosion, puncture, or cracking.
    (ii) Each stationary pesticide container must be capable of 
withstanding all operating stresses, taking into account static heat, 
pressure buildup from pumps and compressors, and any other foreseeable 
mechanical stresses to which the container may be subjected in the 
course of operations.
    (2) Each stationary liquid pesticide container must meet all of the 
following standards:
    (i) Each stationary liquid pesticide container must be equipped with 
a vent or other device designed to relieve excess pressure, prevent 
losses by evaporation, and exclude precipitation.
    (ii) External sight gauges, which are pesticide-containing hoses or 
tubes that run vertically along the exterior of the container from the 
top to the bottom, are prohibited on stationary liquid pesticide 
containers.
    (iii) Each stationary liquid pesticide container connection below 
the normal liquid level must be equipped with a shutoff valve which is 
capable of being locked closed. A shutoff valve must be located within a 
secondary containment unit if one is required by subpart E of this part.
    (g) Can I obtain a waiver from or a modification to any of the 
refillable container standards? Yes, it is possible for you to obtain a 
waiver from or a modification to some of the refillable container 
standards, as follows:
    (1) EPA may waive or modify the requirements of paragraph (a) of 
this section regarding the DOT standards for pesticide products that are 
not DOT hazardous materials if EPA determines that an alternative 
(partial or modified) set of standards or pre-existing requirements 
achieves a level of safety that is at least equal to that specified in 
the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section.

[[Page 200]]

    (2) EPA may waive or modify the requirements of paragraph (b) of 
this section regarding the DOT standards for pesticide products that are 
DOT hazardous materials if EPA determines that an alternative (partial 
or modified) set of standards or pre-existing requirements achieves a 
level of safety that is at least equal to that specified in the 
requirements of paragraph (b) of this section. EPA will modify or waive 
the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section only after consulting 
with DOT to ensure consistency with DOT regulations and exemptions.
    (h) How do I obtain a waiver from or a modification to any of the 
refillable container standards? To obtain a waiver from or a 
modification to any of the refillable container standards, you must 
submit a written request for a waiver or a modification to the EPA to 
the following address: Office of Pesticide Programs (7504P); U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency; Ariel Rios Building; 1200 Pennsylvania 
Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20460. You cannot distribute or sell the 
pesticide product in a refillable container that does not comply with 
all of the refillable container standards unless and until EPA approves 
the request for the waiver or modification in writing. You must include 
two copies of the following information (which may be part of an 
application for registration or amended registration) with your written 
request:
    (1) The name and address of the registrant; the date; and the name, 
title, signature, and phone number of the company official making the 
request.
    (2) The name and EPA registration number of the pesticide product 
for which the waiver or modification is requested.
    (3) A statement specifying the requirement or requirements from 
which you are requesting a waiver or a modification.
    (4) A description of the refillable container or containers for 
which the waiver or modification is requested.
    (5) Documentation or justification to demonstrate that the 
applicable waiver or modification criteria in paragraph (g) of this 
section are satisfied.