Regulations: Conformity with Federal Manifesting Regulations
DTSC Reference Number: R-2005-01
OAL Reference Number: 06-0721-10 N
OAL Approval Date: 08/24/06
Secretary of State Filing Date: 08/24/06
Effective Date: 08/24/06
Text of Final Regulations: Conformity with Federal Manifesting Regulations – Federal Conformity
In 2005, U.S. EPA published regulations that significantly change the manifest form and procedures. They mandate national use of a new Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest that goes into effect on September 5, 2006.
Manifests are the key element in “cradle-to-grave” tracking of hazardous waste. It is part of a system of forms, reports, data bases, and procedures designed to track hazardous waste from the time it leaves the generator facility where it was produced, until it reaches the off-site waste management facility that will transfer, treat, store, or dispose of the hazardous waste. The system allows the generator to verify that its waste has been properly delivered, and that no waste has been lost or unaccounted for in transit. The manifest is also critical documentation used to identify responsible parties at cleanup sites and monitor registered transporters.
The key component of this system is the Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest, the form prepared by all generators who transport, or offer for transport, hazardous waste for off-site treatment, recycling, storage, or disposal. Currently, the manifest is a paper document containing multiple copies of a single form. When completed, it contains information on the type and quantity of the waste being transported, instructions for handling the waste, and signature lines for all parties involved in the disposal process.
Use of the manifest is required by the U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. EPA, and DTSC. Each entity that handles the waste signs the manifest and retains a copy. This ensures critical accountability in the transportation and disposal processes. Once the waste reaches its destination, the receiving facility returns a signed copy of the manifest to the generator, confirming that the waste has been received by the designated facility. In California, generators and receiving facilities submit manifest copies to DTSC which enters the data and images into the Hazardous Waste Tracking System. Generators must submit an exception report to DTSC if they do not receive that TSDF signed copy in 35 days.
DTSC adopted regulations on August 24, 2006 to make the California regulations conform to the new form and procedures. You can stay informed and ask questions regarding these regulations by signing up for the manifest changes Listserv. For more information about these regulations, you may visit the Manifest Information Page.