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.

CIWMB: The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) regulates solid waste (trash) landfills in California. The CIWMB and local enforcement agencies keep hazardous waste out of solid waste landfills in order to protect surrounding properties and groundwater connected with the landfills. The CIWMB also has a household hazardous waste grant program that funds much of the household hazardous waste collection in California.

Cal/EPA: 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), Integrated Waste Management Board (IWMB), 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.

OHM: The Office of Hazardous Materials Safety (OHM) formulates, issues, and revises Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) under the Federal Hazardous Materials Transportation Law. The HMR cover hazardous materials definitions and classifications, hazard communications, shipper and carrier operations, training and security requirements, and packaging and container specifications.

For questions about content, please contact the Regional Assistance Officers at (800) 72-TOXIC (800-728-6942) or go to http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/ContactDtsc/Regulatory-Assistance-Officers.cfm