Hazardous classification and waste codes


This article will briefly explain why Hazardous, or waste codes, could be applied to your product. 

Federal Waste Codes

Federal waste codes are established to categorize materials based on specific hazardous characteristics, including:

  • Ignitability refers to a product's ability to catch fire easily and burn under specific conditions. Certain solvents and oils, which can ignite at relatively low temperatures, fall into this category.
  • Corrosivity describes substances that can cause significant damage to living tissue or severe corrosion to materials, such as metals. This includes strong acids or bases that can corrode storage containers and pose safety risks.
  • Reactivity pertains to a material's tendency to undergo a chemical reaction. When mixed with other substances, this reaction can potentially lead to hazardous situations such as explosions or the release of toxic gases.
  • Toxicity involves a substance's harmful effects on human health and the environment. This includes products that can cause severe health issues or pollute ecosystems upon exposure or disposal.



State Waste Codes

The main state waste codes are California and Washington.


CA Waste Codes

  • Applied for a variety of reasons  
  • If the product has LD/LC/EC50 data and toxicity data based on the formulation 
    • For example, if it contains a listed component in Appendix X and the product type. 


WA WT Waste Codes

  • Based on a calculation known as the equivalent calculation (EC), components in the formulation are classified into Washington waste toxic categories. These categories are then used in the following formula:


 


  • The result of this calculation decides if a waste code will apply or not based on the presence of a halogenated organic compound in the formulation at a specific percentage.


Note

  • WT = Waste Toxic 
  • WP = Waste Persistent


Retailers and Hazardous Waste

Please note that retailers understand that when a product is classified as hazardous waste, it does not necessarily mean it is dangerous or harmful to consumers. Rather, it signifies that the product contains components that could be hazardous if disposed of in a landfill.



Contact Customer Support

If you have further questions about hazardous waste clasifications, please Contact Us for further assistance.