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SW-846

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SW-846 On-Line

Update IV of the Third Edition (Latest Updates)

Test Methods Frequent Questions

SW-846 Federal Register Notices (New & Older Methods)

New Methods

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Waste Sampling Draft Technical Guidance

Welcome to"Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods", also known as SW-846.

If you are looking for the latest update of SW-846, see Update IV of the Third Edition (Latest Updates) or the New Methods page. If you are looking for current methods not listed in the latest update or older versions of SW-846 they can be found in the SW-846 Federal Register Notices page. For any additional questions you can visit the Test Methods Frequent Questions or the MICE Service home page.

What is SW-846?

The EPA publication SW-846, entitled Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods, is Waste's official compendium of analytical and sampling methods that have been evaluated and approved for use in complying with the RCRA regulations. SW-846 functions primarily as a guidance document setting forth acceptable, although not required, methods for the regulated and regulatory communities to use in responding to RCRA-related sampling and analysis requirements.

scientist working at lab benchSW-846 is a multi-volume document that changes over time as new information and data are developed. It has been issued by EPA since 1980 and is currently in its third edition. Advances in analytical instrumentation and techniques are continually reviewed by EPA and incorporated into periodic updates to SW-846 to support changes in the regulatory program and to improve method performance and cost effectiveness. To date, EPA has finalized Updates I, II, IIA, IIB, III, IIIA, IIIB, IVA and IVB to the SW-846 manual, and the updated and fully integrated manual contains approximately 3500 pages.

Paper Copy of SW-846

An official printed copy of SW-846 and most of its updates can be purchased the National Technical Information Service (NTIS). Since SW-846 is available on-line the, U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) subscription is no longer available.

National Technical Information Service

NTIS offers both copies of the current, fully integrated manual and individual copies of most updates and the basic manual (Third Edition before any updates). These documents can be obtained by contacting:

National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
U.S. Department of Commerce
5285 Port Royal Road Springfield, VA 22161
(800) 553-NTIS (553-6847) 703-605-6000 (sales)
703-605-6900 (fax order)
Outside the continental U.S., call 703-605-6000.

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