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Hazardous Waste Compliance Monitoring
RCRA Topics
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle C establishes a federal program to manage hazardous wastes from cradle to grave. The objective of the Subtitle C program is to ensure that hazardous waste is handled in a manner that protects human health and the environment.
The RCRA hazardous waste compliance monitoring program works in conjunction with the Agency's hazardous waste compliance assistance activities as well as the RCRA civil enforcement program.
The Compliance Monitoring Strategy for RCRA Subtitle C core program is to present and synthesize various programs
An important component of the enforcement process is the authority to monitor facilities for verification of compliance with the regulations. The Agency collects compliance monitoring information primarily through facility inspections and information requests.
A number of different types of inspections are conducted under RCRA authority. Inspections are conducted by EPA, authorized states, or both, or authorized representatives of either EPA or authorized states. Typically, either the state or EPA has overall responsibility, or the lead, for conducting the inspection. The inspector's role is to gather information that will then be used by the region and/or state to determine compliance status.
There are several manuals and guidance documents used by regulators in monitoring compliance with hazardous waste requirements.
EPA focuses its compliance monitoring activities on three separate groups under RCRA.
- Hazardous waste generators
- Hazardous waste transporters
- Treatment, storage and disposal (waste management) facilities
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Manuals and Guidance Documents
- RCRA Orientation Manual
provides an overview of the RCRA program and includes a discussion of hazardous waste - RCRA Enforcement and Compliance (PDF) (16 pp, 44K) training module provides an explanation of the various components of the RCRA enforcement program and enforcement mechanisms
- RCRA Online database which is designed to enable users to locate documents including publications and other outreach materials that cover a wide range of RCRA issues and topics
- RCRA Subtitle C Program Memorandum and Compliance Monitoring Strategy (PDF) (43 pp, 814K) provides guidance on how Regions and States should work together to target for and conduct inspections to address the most serious environmental problems in communities. The Strategy reinforces minimum program requirements for Regions and expectations for state and tribal inspection activities, while referencing the State Review Framework as the primary means for verifying that the minimum expectations are being met.
- RCRA Compliance Monitoring Strategy Subtitle C Core Program Appendices (PDF) (33 pp, 238K)
Policy Document
- Hazardous Waste Civil Enforcement Response Policy (PDF) (14 pp, 118K)