Regulating Agencies

There are a number of agencies and organizations involved with waste mercury lamp regulation including:

DTSC

The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) regulates hazardous waste in California. The DTSC writes regulations for managing hazardous waste and promotes compliance with the regulations through public education, inspection, and enforcement.

CalRecycle

The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) regulates solid waste (trash) landfills in California. CalRecycle and local enforcement agencies keep hazardous waste out of solid waste landfills in order to protect surrounding properties and groundwater connected with the landfills. CalRecycle also has a household hazardous waste grant program that funds much of the household hazardous waste collection in California.

CalEPA

The California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) is the state agency charged with regulating human health and the environment. The Air Resources Board (ARB), State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCBs), California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) and Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) are within the Cal/EPA “umbrella”. The Cal/EPA’s mission is to restore, protect, and enhance the environment, to ensure public health, environmental quality, and economic vitality.

U.S. EPA

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) is the federal agency charged with regulating hazardous waste. The U.S. EPA generally defers active regulation of hazardous waste to state agencies that implement both the federal and state hazardous waste programs. California contains such agencies.

U.S. DOT

The United States Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) writes regulations governing transportation in the United States. Transporters of hazardous waste must follow all applicable U.S. DOT regulations.

PHMSA

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) establishes national policy, sets and enforces standards, educates, and conducts research to prevent incidents. They also prepare the public and first responders to reduce consequences if an incident occurs.

For questions about content, please contact the Regulatory Assistance Officers at (800) 72-TOXIC (800-728-6942) or go to the Regulatory Assistance Office web page.