State-Specific Universal Waste Regulations

State adoption of the 1995 Universal Waste Rule is optional because the rule is less stringent than the previous requirements under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

States can create different standards (except for batteries due to the Battery Act), but they have to be equivalent to the federal regulations (i.e., they must provide equivalent protection, cannot regulate fewer handlers, etc.). States may also adopt the entire rule or certain provisions.

To find out which states have universal waste regulations and which of those states have added different waste categories, visit EPA's State-Specific Universal Regulations Web site.