Hazardous waste regulations were established to minimize human and environmental exposure to hazardous substances. Compliance with hazardous waste regulations is an enforceable and prosecutable law. Noncompliance can result in fines of up to $27,500 per day for each violation.
Local state and federal statutes and regulations govern hazardous waste management in California. Statutes or laws are enacted by bills through legislation. The primary statutes or laws which rule hazardous waste management include:
- Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).
- Comprehensive Environmental Responses Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA).
- Federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
- Federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (Fed-OSHA).
- Federal Hazardous Material Transportation Act (HMTA).
- California Health and Safety Code (HSC).
Regulations, rules and standards necessary to implement these statutes or laws are developed and enforced by regulatory agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Department of Health Services (DHS). These regulations include:
- Code of Federal Regulations, Part 40 (40 CFR) - Hazardous Waste Management
- Code of Federal Regulations, Part 49 (49 CFR) - Department of Transportation
- Code of Federal Regulations, Part 29 (29 CFR) - Occupational Safety & Health Administration
- California Code of Regulations, Title 22 (22 CCR) - Minimum Standard for Management of Hazardous and Extremely Hazardous Wastes
For more information, please refer to 40 CFR, Part 273 (Federal) and 22 CCR 66273 (California) for universal waste rules. |
