Search

In California, Emergency Rule Adds Airbag Waste Exemption

Posted on 5/8/2024 by Lion Technology Inc.

Update: November 15, 2024 

California DTSC has proposed to readopt, for 90 additional days, emergency regulations exempting undeployed airbags from some hazardous waste management requirements when handlers meet certain conditions.

DTSC will accept public comments on readopting the exemption for 5 days, beginning when the rule appears on this page: Emergency Regulations Under Review.

If not readopted for an additional 90 days, the exemption for waste airbags will expire on December 5, 2024. 

From DTSC’s announcement: 

“This proposed second readoption of the emergency regulations will ensure, for an additional 90 days, the continued safe and effective management of undeployed airbags under the conditional exemption for airbag waste handlers. During this time DTSC will finalize the regulations through the regular rulemaking process.”


Updated: September 2024

An emergency regulation to adopt relaxed management standards for undeployed airbag waste took effect on March 15 in California and will remain in effect until September 12 December 5, 2024.

The provisions exempt “airbag waste” from some of the Title 22/RCRA hazardous waste management rules, relaxing the requirements for generating, accumulating, and transporting these devices (when certain conditions are met). 

The goal in adding the exclusion for airbag waste is to facilitate the safe return and disposal of defective car airbags, like those impacted by the Takata airbag recall that began in the mid-2010’s. 

In California, Emergency Rule Adds Airbag Waste Exemption

Using the Airbag Waste Exclusion

To take advantage of the exclusion, car dealers, parts retailers, repair shops, and scrap yards, and other handlers of airbag waste must: 

  • Abide by limits on the number of units and accumulation time.
  • Properly package and label airbag waste.
  • Send the waste directly to an approved facility.
  • Comply with US DOT hazmat transportation regulations. 
  • Keep records of all offsite shipments. 

DTSC created an Airbag Waste Management webpage which provides extensive detail about how to manage airbag waste under the conditional exemption. The page provides definitions for key regulatory terms like airbag module, airbag inflator, and airbag waste, and addresses several common questions about the rule in FAQ format.

For more about the nuts-and-bolts of the regulatory and legislative process behind this rulemaking, visit DTSC’s Conditional Exemption for Undeployed Airbags webpage. 


Hazardous Waste Training Built for Pros in California

Get the training or annual re-training required by law to manage your site's hazardous waste in compliance with California's Title 22/RCRA standards for hazardous waste generators.

Sign up for the California Hazardous Waste Management online course to learn at your own pace, pause and resume to fit your schedule, and have access to training from any internet connection.

Prefer training with an instructor?
For in-person workshops in California, expert-led webinar training, and additional online course options (including a streamlined refresher!) visit Lion.com/CA.

Tags: airbags, California, hazardous waste management

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

I like the consistency of Lion workshops. The materials are well put together and instructors are top notch!

Kevin Pylka

Permitting, Compliance & Environmental Manager

My experience with Lion classes has always been good. Lion Technology always covers the EPA requirements I must follow.

Steven Erlandson

Environmental Coordinator

Excellent class, super instructor, very easy to follow. No rushing through material. Would like to take his class again.

Lawrence Patterson

EH&S Facility Maintenance & Security Manager

I have over 26 years of environmental compliance experience, and it has been some time since I have attended an environmental regulations workshop. I attended this course as preparation for EHS Audits for my six plants, and it was exactly what I was looking for.

Frank Sizemore

Director of Regulatory Affairs

Lion is easily and consistently the best option for compliance training. I've learned new information from every instructor I've had.

Rachel Mathis

EHS Specialist

The instructor does a great job at presenting material in an approachable way. I have been able to save my company about $30,000 in the last year with what I have learned from Lion!

Curtis Ahonen

EHS&S Manager

The instructor was very knowledgeable and provided pertinent information above and beyond the questions that were asked.

Johnny Barton

Logistics Coordinator

The instructor kept the class engaged and made learning fun. There was a lot of information to cover but time flew by. I will definitely use Lion in the future!

Chelsea Minguela

Hazmat Shipping Professional

We have a very busy work schedule and using Lion enables us to take the course at our own time. It makes it easy for me to schedule my employees' training.

Timothy Mertes

Hazmat Shipping Professional

No comparison. Lion has the best RCRA training ever!!

Matt Sabine

Environmental Specialist

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

This report details major changes for hazardous waste generators from US EPA’s Generator Improvements Rule, as well as the latest updates from states that are still working to adopt new, stricter Federal requirements.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.