In California, New Hazardous Waste Report Due 3/31

On January 27, 2025, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) amended the State hazardous waste regulations in several ways that affect generators and other facilities that store, treat, or transport hazardous waste.

An emergency final rule published by DTSC on January 27, 2025, “Generation and Handling Fee Requirements,” added a new annual reporting requirement for handlers of hazardous waste in California. The rule defines "handler" to mean any person that generates, transports, treats, stores, or disposes of hazardous waste (22 CCR 66260.10).

The rule also revised California State regulations related to fee exemptions and the exemption review process. The finalized amendments were published on February 7, 2025.

New: California Hazardous Waste "eVQ"

Covered handlers of hazardous waste must submit the Electronic Verification Questionnaire (eVQ) by March 31 of each year, starting this year. The 2025 period for electronic reporting is open now.

The new reporting requirement applies to handlers of hazardous waste:

• That had an active EPA or CA ID number at any time during the prior calendar year; or
• Was a handler of hazardous waste in California at any time during the prior calendar year

The new reporting requirement does not apply to:

• Hazardous waste handlers with an ID number for a site on tribal land;
• Occupants of households that generate only household hazardous waste;
• Hazardous waste handlers with an ID number issued for the purpose of an emergency response for an area identified in a state of emergency proclamation by the Governor.

[See 22 CCR 66260.400(a) and (b).].

California Hazardous Waste eVQ (Electronic Verification Questionnaire)

The eVQ requires covered handlers to report or verify information including (but not limited) the business name, mailing address, Employer ID Number, NAICS Code, number of employees working at least 500 hours during the prior year, and more.

Generators of hazardous waste must also submit the following for the prior calendar year:

• The total quantity of manifested hazardous waste
• Four largest hazardous waste streams
• The total quantity of unmanifested treated wood wastes and any other wastes granted a variance from manifesting
• The total quantity of hazardous waste managed using consolidated manifesting procedures, and the ID number of the transporter
• The tonnage of any waste for which an exemption of deduction is claimed

On top of a list of general information requirements for all eVQ submissions, the rule includes separate requirements that apply to hazardous waste generators, transporters, and TSDFs, respectively [22 CCR 66260.410].

DTSC Hazardous Waste eVQ User Guide (2025) 

Cal DTSC posted a user guide for hazardous waste handlers online: 2025 Electronic Verification Questionnaire (EVQ) User Guide.

Upcoming California Hazardous Waste Management Training

 At the California Hazardous Waste Management workshop, environmental and hazardous materials professionals gather and build the skills to identify, store, and dispose of regulated hazardous wastes in full compliance with California's Title 22, RCRA regulations, and the CA Health and Safety Code. Attend the workshop in Ontario, CA or San Diego, CA in May for top rated training to comply with California's one-of-a-kind hazardous waste management regulations for generators.

Can't join us in person this year? Try the self-paced online course or sign on for a live, expert-led webinar.