The EPA, as part of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976, outlined procedures for the handling and tracking of hazardous waste. As part of this act, the EPA gave a list of almost 100 process wastes and 450 chemicals to considered hazardous to health or to the environment. To help determine if the product is hazardous, the EPA instructed users to assess the material's corrosivity, ignitability, reactivity and toxicity. For example, an aqueous material is considered hazardous if its pH is less than 2 or greater than 12.5.

A hazardous waste generator must mark each package with the relevant DOT hazardous materials regulations prior to shipping the material off site. In addition, the EPA has now included a 90 day accumulation rule. With this, the user must mark the date on which waste accumulation started. All containers with less than 110 gallons must be marked with the following information:

• HAZARDOUS WASTE- Federal Law Prohibits Improper Disposal. If found, contact the nearest police of public safety authority or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
• Generator's Name and Address
• Manifest Document Number