EPA’s Transition from WIETS to RCRAInfo WIETS
EPA transitioned to a new system for processing hazardous waste export and import notices on January 18th, 2022 called RCRAInfo WIETS (Waste Import Export Tracking System).
Due to a significant new security vulnerability called “log4j”, the launch of RCRAInfo WIETS will be impacted. We launched the new electronic system, RCRAInfo WIETS, on January 18th to enable U.S. exporters and U.S. importers the ability to create notices and submit them to EPA. However, EPA will be unable to perform country-to-country transmittals until the security vulnerability is fixed. We expect this work to be completed in the coming weeks, but will provide more information as it becomes available. We recognize this is a major inconvenience, and we can assure you that our Information Technology team is working hard to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.
We will be sharing updates on a weekly basis to keep our Competent Authority partners and customers aware of our progress. Thank you in advance for your patience as we work to resolve this issue.
January 31, 2022 update – The security vulnerability continues but we have instituted various solutions and continue to do internal testing to make sure that our system is secure. Our plan is to have user testing start mid-February and a final solution in place by March.
February 15, 2022 update – As expected, EPA is now testing the system’s country-to-country exchange and we still expect a release of the full system in early March. As soon as the country-to-country exchange is available we will inform our country partners, and we will forward all reviewed export notices to the countries of import and transit for review.
March 2, 2022 update – We are continuing through the final phase of testing the electronic data exchange and working through various issues and fixes. Provided that this work progresses as expected, the process should be completed in March.
March 14, 2022 update – We are working through the final phase of testing the electronic data exchange and are making great headway with various crucial issues and fixes. Provided that this work continues to progress as expected, the process should still be completed in March.
March 28, 2022 update – We continue to work hard and make progress towards resolving various technical issues related to the electronic exchange. We currently anticipate completing the electronic exchange by mid to late April.
April 18, 2022 update – EPA will begin exchanging import and export notice data with Canada on April 19, 2022. EPA is also exchanging notices with countries outside of North America. The exchange of import and export notice data with Mexico is still expected to be completed by late April.
May 3, 2022 update – EPA is fully exchanging import and export data with Canada. Notices are being processed in the order they are received. EPA is also exchanging notices with countries outside of North America. EPA and SEMARNAT are making progress on establishing the U.S.-Mexico exchange of import and export data.
May 12, 2022 update – EPA and SEMARNAT continue to work hard to establish the U.S.-Mexico exchange of import and export data.
May 27, 2022 update – EPA and SEMARNAT continue to work hard to establish the U.S.-Mexico exchange of import and export data, and are testing limited exchanges of notice data.
June 15, 2022 update – EPA and SEMARNAT are continuing to work hard to establish the U.S.-Mexico exchange of import and export data. Limited exchanges of notices will continue.
June 30, 2022 update - EPA and SEMARNAT are pleased with the successful transmittals of notices that have been made to date. We will be slowly increasing the number of notices transmitted between the two countries as we continue to work hard to establish the U.S.-Mexico exchange of import and export data.
August 10, 2022 update - EPA is fully exchanging import and export data with Mexico. Notices are being processed in the order they are received. EPA and SEMARNAT will continue to monitor the electronic exchange to resolve any disruptions to the exchange as soon as possible.