Regulatory
EPA ID Number
A unique identifier assigned by the EPA to hazardous waste generators, transporters, and treatment/storage/disposal facilities for tracking purposes.
Definition
A unique identifier assigned by the EPA to hazardous waste generators, transporters, and treatment/storage/disposal facilities for tracking purposes.
What This Means for Your Facility
Every facility that generates, transports, treats, stores, or disposes of hazardous waste must obtain an EPA Identification Number before any hazardous waste leaves the site. In California, these numbers are issued by DTSC (not directly by EPA) through the online notification system, and take the format CAD followed by nine digits. The number is site-specific, if a business operates at multiple locations, each location needs its own EPA ID. The number stays with the site even if ownership changes.
Operating without an EPA ID number while generating hazardous waste is itself a violation of RCRA (40 CFR §262.12) and California Health and Safety Code §25160. More practically, no permitted transporter or disposal facility will accept waste from a generator without a valid EPA ID, meaning the waste simply accumulates on-site, triggering additional violations for exceeding storage time limits (90 days for LQGs, 270 days for SQGs under California rules).
BayArea Compliance assists new clients with EPA ID number registration, helps existing generators verify their notification is current, and ensures the correct EPA ID appears on every manifest. If your facility's generator status changes, for example, if a new waste stream pushes you from SQG to LQG, we update your notification and adjust your compliance program to match the new requirements.
Related BAC Services
Hazardous Waste Management
RCRA-compliant management of chemical, universal, and hazardous waste streams including lab chemicals, solvents, and automotive fluids.
Learn moreMedical Waste Disposal
Compliant pickup, transport, and treatment of regulated medical waste, including biohazardous, pathological, pharmaceutical, and sharps waste, for healthcare facilities of all sizes.
Learn moreRelated Terms
Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD)
Diseases that can be transmitted through airborne particles. Cal/OSHA's ATD standard (Title 8, Section 5199) requires healthcare facilities to implement exposure control plans, employee training, and respiratory protection programs.
Bloodborne Pathogens
Infectious microorganisms present in human blood that can cause disease. Includes hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). OSHA requires annual BBP training.
Breach Notification
The process of notifying affected individuals, HHS, and potentially the media when unsecured protected health information (PHI) is accessed, used, or disclosed in a way not permitted by HIPAA. California's CMIA requires notification within 15 business days.
Cal/OSHA
California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health. Enforces workplace safety standards that are often stricter than federal OSHA, including the Aerosol Transmissible Diseases standard and specific requirements for healthcare, laboratory, and agricultural workplaces.
CMIA (California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act)
California state law (Civil Code §56–56.37) that provides stronger patient privacy protections than federal HIPAA. Includes a private right of action for patients, broader definitions of medical information, and shorter breach notification timelines.
Covered Entity
Under HIPAA, any health plan, healthcare clearinghouse, or healthcare provider that transmits health information electronically. All covered entities must comply with HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rules.
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