The sampling of Macondo waste so far has been done by Macondo well operator BP in compliance with regulatory requirements of the EPA and the four Gulf States affected by the ongoing spill, EPA said in a statement.

"While the states of Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida are overseeing BP's waste-management activities and conducting inspections, this action today is meant to complement their activities by providing further oversight and imposing more specific requirements," EPA said.

The EPA and the Coast Guard have issued a directive to BP on how the company should manage oil and other wastes recovered from Macondo, EPA said. Both organizations, in consultation with the four affected Gulf Coast states, will hold BP accountable for the implementation of the approved waste management plans and ensure the directives are followed in the states.

According to the EPA, the directive will provide guidelines for community engagement activities and set transparency requirements on information regarding the proper management of the wastes; require BP to give EPA and state agencies access to facilities or any location where wastes are stored; require BP to comply with all applicable laws and regulations and to ensure all the facilities have obtained all necessary permits and approvals; and requires BP to submit to EPA and the Coast Guard specific plans, waste reports and tracking systems for the waste.

--Richard Rubin, richard_rubin@platts.com