What is SW-846?

The EPA publication SW-846, entitled Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods, is OSW'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. Information about other methods and analytical technologies may be accessed through the Clu-In webpage of EPA's Technology Innovation Office at http://clu-in.org/char1.cfm.

SW-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 OSW 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 and IIIA to the SW-846 manual, and the updated and fully integrated manual contains approximately 3500 pages. The Methods Team of OSW has also made Draft Updates IVA and IVB for public use.   See below for how to obtain official printed copies of SW-846 from GPO or NTIS, how to obtain a CD-ROM of SW-846 from NTIS, and how to obtain SW-846 ON-LINE.

SW-846 IS NOW ON-LINE!

An electronic copy of the complete SW-846 manual is now available at this site! Draft Update IVA and Draft Update IVB documents can also be viewed on-line.

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How to Obtain an Official Printed Copy of SW-846

An official printed copy of SW-846 and most of its updates can be purchased from either the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) or the National Technical Information Service (NTIS).

Government Printing Office

GPO offers a subscription service, which includes the four-volume basic manual and updates over a certain period. Each time a final update is issued, subscribers need to integrate it into their copy of the manual by replacing revised methods and adding new methods. The subscription can be obtained by contacting:

U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO)
Superintendent of Documents
Washington, DC 20402
Phone: (202) 512-1800
Publication Number: 955-001-00000-1

GPO Prices: $367.00 per domestic subscription, $513.80 for foreign mailing.

If you have questions about your current GPO SW-846 subscription, call (202) 512-2303.

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)
From outside the continental U.S., please call 703-605-6000.

For on-line ordering of hard copies of SW-846 contact: NTIS

NTIS publication numbers and prices (as of 7/26/02):

Integrated Manual; PB2002105715; $360.00 (foreign $720.00)
Final Update I; PB94170313; $123.00 (foreign $246.00)
Final Update II and IIA; PB95187225; $150.00 (foreign $300.00)
Final Update IIB; PB95234480; $20.00 (foreign $40.00)
Final Update III; PB97156137; $215.00 (foreign $430.00)
Basic Manual; PB88239223; $200.00 (foreign $400.00)
Draft Update IVA; PB98-111750; $79.00 (foreign $158.00)
Draft Update IVB; PB2002105723; $100.00 (foreign $200.00)

Prices are subject to change.

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How to Obtain SW-846 on CD-ROM

NTIS also offers SW-846 on CD-ROM. It is compatible with both Windows and Macintosh operating systems. The CD-ROM utilizes Adobe Acrobat, with a powerful text search engine, and the means to electronically jump to selected methods via hypertext links. Users can view and print the material, including figures and flow diagrams, and cut and paste or export text and diagrams.

Version 2 of the CD-ROM includes the entire SW-846, Third Edition, as amended through Final Update III. A CD-ROM of Draft Update IVA is also available.

To order SW-846 on CD-ROM, contact:

National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
U.S. Department of Commerce
5285 Port Royal Road Springfield, VA 22161
(800) 553-NTIS (553-6847)
From outside the continental U.S., please call 703-605-6000.

For on-line ordering of SW-846 on CD-ROM contact: NTIS

NTIS publication numbers and prices for the Version 2, SW-846 CD-ROM:

Single user: PB97501928; $125 (foreign $165)
5 LAN users: PB97502512; $320 (foreign $415)
Unlimited users: PB97502520; $1,250 (foreign $1,650)

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