Glossary

Many terms used on the Hazardous Waste Information Platform are defined by federal regulation in 40 CFR 260.10 at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-I/part-260/subpart-B/section-260.10. The EPA website also includes information about the national hazardous waste program at https://www.epa.gov/hw.

Authorized State

A state that has obtained authorization from the U.S. EPA to direct its own hazardous waste program.

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)

The Code of Federal Regulations is the official, codified collection of general and permanent rules published by the executive departments and agencies of the U.S. federal government. It is divided into 50 subject-based titles, with Protection of Environment being Title 40. Hazardous waste regulations are primarily in Parts 260-273.

EPA

On this website, EPA refers to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Some state environmental agencies also are called EPA.

EPA Identification (ID) Number

May also be referred to as Site ID, Handler ID, or RCRA ID Number. The EPA ID Number is the unique identification number assigned to each U.S. handler of hazardous waste, including hazardous waste generators, recyclers, transporters, and management facilities. The federal regulations include notification and ID number requirements for various types of hazardous waste-related sites.

Hazardous Secondary Material (HSM)

A secondary material (e.g., spent material, by-product, or sludge) that, when discarded, would be identified as hazardous waste under 40 CFR Part 261. Facilities managing hazardous secondary material under 40 CFR 261.2(a) or 40 CFR 261.4(a) must complete the Addendum to the Site Identification Form: Notification for Managing Hazardous Secondary Material.

Hazardous Waste Generator

Any person, by site, whose act or process produces hazardous waste identified or listed in 40 CFR Part 261.

LQG

Large Quantity Generator of hazardous waste.

RCRA

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is a federal law that establishes the framework for managing hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste. The Hazardous Waste Information Platform generally focuses on hazardous waste management.

SQG

Small Quantity Generator of hazardous waste.

VSQG

Very Small Quantity Generator of hazardous waste.