VOLUME 4 NO.

2 AUGUST 1999
®

A special service of the Lab Safety Supply Technical Services Team

Hazardous Waste Management System; Modification of the

Hazardous Waste Program; Hazardous Waste Lamps
Final Rule
Federal Register, July 6, 1999, Pages 36465–36490

OVERVIEW
This final rule, effective Jan. 6, 2000, adds hazardous waste lamps to the federal list of universal wastes
regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The universal waste program consists
of regulations designed to address the management of certain widely generated hazardous wastes. Handlers
of universal wastes are subject to less stringent standards for storing, transporting and collecting these
wastes. The conclusion reached by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is that regulating spent
hazardous waste lamps as a universal waste, under 40 CFR Part 273, will lead to better management of the
lamps and facilitate compliance with hazardous waste requirements.
On July 27, 1994 the EPA proposed two methods for controlling the management of spent lamps,
specifically mercury-containing lamps. The first was a conditional exclusion from hazardous waste regulation
for waste lamps containing mercury. They could have been disposed of in a state-permitted municipal
landfill. The lamps also could have been managed at a state-licensed mercury reclamation facility. The
second method was to add waste lamps containing mercury to the universal waste program. On July 11, 1997
the EPA made available to the public additional data on mercury emissions from managing spent lamps. The
information, provided as part of the Notice of Data Availability (NODA), consisted of an electronic model and
a report that assessed mercury emissions from the management of waste lamps containing mercury under
different regulatory approaches. The EPA issued the Mercury Study Report, which describes mercury
emissions to the air, health and environmental impacts and technologies available to control mercury, to
Congress on Dec. 19, 1997.
Summary Highlights
•Universal waste means any of the following hazardous wastes subject to the universal waste
requirements of 40 CFR Part 273: batteries, pesticides, thermostats and lamps.
•Lamps, or universal waste lamps, are defined as the bulb or tube portion of an electric lighting device.
Examples of common universal waste electric lamp types include, but are not limited to, fluorescent, high
intensity discharge, neon, mercury vapor, high pressure sodium and metal halide.
•Each lamp or package containing lamps must be labeled or marked clearly with one of the following
phrases: “Universal Waste—Lamp(s),” “Waste Lamp(s)” or “Used Lamp(s).”

NOTE: THIS IS ONLY A PARTIAL SUMMARY OF THE NEW REQUIREMENTS. PLEASE REFER TO PAGES 36465-36490 IN THE JULY 6,
1999 FEDERAL REGISTER FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION ON REQUIREMENTS FOR HAZARDOUS WASTE LAMPS.

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: The information contained herein is intended for general information purposes only. This document is not a
substitute for review of the applicable government regulations and standards, and should not be construed as legal advice or opinion.
Readers with specific questions should refer to the cited regulation or consult with an attorney.

For information on products related to Hazardous Waste Lamps or other regulatory topics, please call:
SafetyTechLine ™
1-800-356-2501

©1999 Lab Safety Supply Inc.

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