Which act is responsible for the classification of hazardous waste?

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is the act responsible for the classification of hazardous waste. It was enacted to govern the disposal of solid and hazardous waste, providing a framework for managing waste from its creation to its safe disposal. RCRA establishes criteria for identifying hazardous waste, ensuring that waste management practices are conducted in a manner that protects human health and the environment. This act requires generators of hazardous waste to follow specific guidelines for waste treatment, storage, and disposal, significantly influencing how hazardous materials are handled to minimize risks associated with their mismanagement.

In contrast, the Clean Water Act primarily addresses water pollution and sets maximum allowable levels of pollutants in US waters, while CERCLA, also known as the Superfund Act, focuses on the cleanup of contaminated sites. The Toxic Substances Control Act regulates the introduction of new or already existing chemicals into the marketplace but does not specifically deal with the classification of waste. Thus, in the context of hazardous waste classification, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act is the most relevant legislation.