Which federal agency's manifest requirements apply to hazardous waste?

• A. Department of Transportation
• B. Environmental Protection Agency
• C. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• D. Federal Emergency Management Agency

Answer: (B)

The requirement for a hazardous waste manifest is part of the federal hazardous waste program, and it’s administered by the Environmental Protection Agency. This manifest is the cradle-to-grave tracking tool for hazardous waste: it travels with the waste from the generator to the transporter and then to the treatment, storage, or disposal facility. The document includes key details such as the waste type and codes, quantities, generators and facility information, and the necessary signatures and dates. This system helps ensure that hazardous waste is managed safely and legally and that it ends up at a permitted facility, with a clear chain of custody.

Other agencies handle related areas but not the hazardous waste manifest program: the Department of Transportation regulates the transportation of hazardous materials in general and the paperwork that accompanies those shipments, OSHA focuses on workplace safety, and FEMA handles disaster management. The manifest requirements for hazardous waste specifically fall under EPA's RCRA framework.