Medwaste Regulations Go Global

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced its intention to consider the adoption of stricter international standards for hazardous medical waste transport. Currently, transport is governed by regulations promulgated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, Atlanta). The proposed World Health Organization (WHO) regulations are consistently used internationally. Issues of concern include a new definition of infectious waste, new labeling requirements, and a "materials of trade exemption", which would exempt home health care operators. Even home health care would eventually come under the broader regulations.