Federal Regulations

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act was enacted in 1976 to insure responsible disposal of chemicals, solvents, sludges, and other waste streams that could be hazardous to human health and the environment. The USEPA has the responsibility for promulgating and enforcing the regulations governing the identification and management of hazardous wastes. In addition to the regulations noted below, many interpretive letters and guidance memos have been issued over the years addressing specific situations. In addition to defining hazardous waste, the regulations specify required management and training requirements regarding the segregation, storage, labeling, manifesting, transporting, and disposal of hazardous waste. All hazardous waste generators must become familiar with the regulations and comply with those that apply to their specific circumstances.

You can view copies of the actual regulations governing hazardous waste via our web site at Code of Federal Regulations. We've provided copies of these regulations on our web site because the links on the CFR change from time to time.

Of great importance to healthcare facilities is the publication of the Final Rule: Management Standards for Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals and Amendment to the P075 Listing for Nicotine which took effect at the federal level on August 21, 2019. The rule became effective in Iowa, Alaska, Indian Country, and all US territories except Guam at that time. All states must eventually adopt Subpart P: Hazardous Waste Pharmaceuticals and many have already done so. You can access information about the Final Rule at https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/final-rule-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-and-amendment-p075. EPA periodically updates a site that also documents which states have adopted the Final Rule at https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/where-are-management-standards-hazardous-waste-pharmaceuticals-and-amendment-p075.