Biennial Reports Information

NEW! 2017 Forms and Instructions are now available.

Important Information

NOTE: The 2017 Hazardous Waste (Biennial) Report must be postmarked no later than March 1, 2018 covering activities conducted in calendar year 2017. Please, DO NOT fax completed reports.

DUE TO CALIFORNIA REGULATIONS, DTSC IS NOT PERMITTED TO GRANT EXTENSIONS.

• Failure to comply with federal and state regulations regarding Biennial Reports may result in fines and penalties.
• If you are a Treatment, Storage, and/or Disposal Facilities (TSDF) please go to the Annual Facility Report Page for reporting information.  
• REQUIRED! All handlers must include both federal (RCRA) and California hazardous waste codes on the Site Identification (SI) Form and the Waste Generation and Management (GM) Form. (If your manifest has only a CA waste code, please do not complete a GM Form for this hazardous waste.)
• Please print and retain a copy of your completed 2017 Biennial Report or Exemption Request for your records.

On this page:

• Software Link and Forms
• Documentation
• Exemptions
• Training Resources and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Purpose of the Biennial Report
• Definition of a RCRA Large Quantity Generator
• 2015 Biennial Report Materials

Software Link and Forms

NEW! California requires electronic filing of your 2017 Biennial Report using the DTSC Waste Reporting System (WRS). WRS offers you a secure, quick, and convenient way to file your report. Please read the instructions prior to entering data into WRS. If you have any questions, please contact us at BRSStaff@dtsc.ca.gov.

Note:  Florida's Department of Environmental Protection BRS software is no longer available.

• Required Forms for LQGs:
   
  • Site Identification Forms (6 pages) - Do not include Addendum page
  • Waste Generation and Management (GM) form(s)

Note:  The U.S. EPA revised the Biennial Report flat file specifications: 2017 Biennial Report flat file specifications

Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to open many of the files, including the report itself.                    

Documentation

Submit the Biennial Report electronically using the DTSC Waste Reporting System. Print and sign the Certification page (Page 6 of the SI Form) and send to one of the addresses below. 

• Via USPS:
  Department of Toxic Substances Control
  Attn: Biennial Reports, MS 11-27
  P.O. Box 806
  Sacramento, CA 95812-0806
   
• or
   
• Via UPS/FedEx:
  Department of Toxic Substances Control
  Attn: Biennial Reports
  1001 I Street, MS 11-27
  Sacramento, CA 95814

Exemptions

If, after reading the section on DEFINITION OF A RCRA LARGE QUANTITY GENERATOR, you still feel your site may be exempt from filing the Biennial Report, you may file an Exemption Request using the 2017 Biennial Hazardous Waste Report Exemption Request Form. Note: This is a request only. DTSC will contact you if your request is denied.

Send your exemption by email or fax:

Email:  BRSStaff@dtsc.ca.gov
Fax:     916-323-3500

You may also send your exemption to DTSC:

• Via USPS:
  Department of Toxic Substances Control
  Attn: Biennial Reports, MS 11-27
  P.O. Box 806
  Sacramento, CA 95812-0806
   
• or
   
• Via UPS/FedEx:
  Department of Toxic Substances Control
  Attn: Biennial Reports
  1001 I Street, MS 11-27
  Sacramento, CA 95814

Training Resources and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Frequently Asked Questions About the Biennial Report:

• EPA’s Frequently Asked Questions about the Biennial Report
• 2017 Frequently Asked Questions about Biennial Reports
• Biennial Report Information Slides (Updated 10/18/2017)

Purpose of the Biennial Report

DTSC and U.S. EPA have a common mission to protect human health and the environment, which they carry out by enforcing strict management standards for hazardous wastes, and gathering information about the generation, transportation and final disposition of hazardous waste in the state.

The federal and state hazardous waste regulations require certain federally-regulated (RCRA) hazardous waste generators, as well as, facilities that treat, store or dispose of RCRA hazardous waste, to report their hazardous waste activities biennially in odd-numbered calendar years. The information collected will:

• Provide the U.S. EPA and California with a view of current hazardous waste generation and waste management in the United States;
   
• Show trends and changes in waste management and quantity when compared to past years' reports;
   
• Be summarized and provided to the public, primarily through publication of the National Biennial RCRA Hazardous Waste Report.

Definition of a RCRA Large Quantity Generator

You are a RCRA LQG for 2017 if your site:

1. Generated 1,000 kilograms (kg; 2,200 pounds [lbs.]) or more of non-acute RCRA hazardous waste (including quantities imported by importer site) in a single month; or
    
2. Generated in a single month or accumulated at any time 1 kg (2.2 lbs.) or more of any RCRA acute hazardous wastes listed in 40 CFR sections 261.31 or 261.33; or
    
3. Generated or accumulated at any time more than 100 kg (220 lbs.) of any residue or contaminated soil, waste, or other debris resulting from the cleanup of a spill, into or on any land or water, of any RCRA acute hazardous wastes listed in 40 CFR sections 261.31 or 261.33(e).

You are required to file the 2017 Biennial Report if your site:

1. Met the definition (see above) of a RCRA Large Quantity Generator during 2017; or
2. Treated, stored, or disposed of RCRA hazardous wastes on-site during 2017.

Did you do one of the following?

• Did you become an LQG for one calendar month even though you are a Small Generate excess amounts of either acute RCRA hazardous waste or
• Residue contaminated soil containing acute RCRA hazardous wastes that made you become an LQG for one calendar month (even if you are a Small Quantity Generator (SQG) or a Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG)?
• Then, you must complete the 2017 Biennial Report.

Did you change your generator status?

• You will report your current hazardous waste generator status on the Site ID Form in Item 10.A.1 – Generator of Hazardous Waste - as of the date of submitting your 2017 Biennial Report. Your current status may be different from last year.

Are you a hazardous waste importer?

• All Hazardous waste imported from a foreign country in 2017 must be counted in determining your generator status.
• This waste must be reported on the Waste Generation and Management Form (GM Form) or the Waste Received from Off-site Form (WR Form) in your 2017 Biennial Report.

2015 Biennial Report Materials

PLEASE NOTE:  THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF THE 2015 BIENNIAL REPORT WAS MARCH 1, 2016.

• 2015 Biennial Report and Instructions
  • Required Forms for LQG's:
    Site Identification Forms (4 pages) - Do not include Addendum page
    Waste Generation and Management (GM) form(s)
  • Forms not required for LQG's:
    Waste Received from Off Site (WR) form(s) - Not Required
    Off-Site Identification (OI) form(s) – Do not include the OI form
• DTSC used the EasiTrak reporting software. Register here and enter your information Easitrak2015. You must send DTSC the entire printed and signed report.
• 2015 Biennial Report Exemption Form