Notification of regulated waste activity

Scope

Once you know your hazardous waste generator category, you must notify EPA and/or your state of your waste activities and obtain your EPA Identification (ID) Number.

Note: This step is not required for very small quantity generators (VSQGs) on the federal level, but be sure to check with your state. Some states require VSQGs to obtain EPA ID Numbers.

EPA ID Numbers are 12-character identification numbers used by both EPA and the states as part of a national database to track hazardous waste activities.

The application for the number notifies the state and federal government that your company is involved in hazardous waste activity. The ID number that you receive is used on all documents relating to hazardous waste: manifests, biennial reports, labels, etc.

Regulatory citations

• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)

Key definitions

• EPA Identification (ID) Number: A 12-character identification number used by both EPA and the states as part of a national database to track hazardous waste activities.
• Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA): The principal federal law governing the disposal of solid waste and hazardous waste.

Summary of requirements

EPA’s webpage "Instructions and Form for Hazardous Waste Generators, Transporters and Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities to Obtain an EPA Identification Number " is designed to help you determine if you're subject to the requirements under RCRA for notifying EPA or an authorized state of your regulated waste activities.

The instructions will assist you in obtaining an EPA Identification (ID) Number by completing and submitting EPA Form 8700-12 for initial notifications or in revising EPA Form 8700-12 if you're required to submit a subsequent notification. The instructions also include appendices on typical waste streams produced by small quantity generators and typical waste streams and EPA Hazardous Waste Numbers.

If you don't currently have an EPA ID Number and you handle hazardous waste, you must submit an initial notification form. You should submit an initial notification form:

• If you generate, transport, treat, store, or dispose of solid wastes that are hazardous wastes;
• If you recycle secondary materials that are hazardous wastes; or
• If you transport, process, re-refine, market, or burn off-specification used oil for energy recovery.