Use of a Manifest System

The Manifest System, Recordkeeping, and Reporting section of 40 CFR 264 focuses primarily on the procedures related to the receipt of hazardous waste from sources outside a waste management facility. When a facility receives wastes and accompanying documentation from an outside source, the following actions must occur:

• The shipment must be accompanied by a manifest, or invoice, that details the cargo in the delivery. When the shipment is received, the owner or operator of the receiving facility, or his or her agent, must sign and date the manifest. This signature certifies that the shipment was received, and the receiving owner or operator must add notes, if there are any differences between the manifest and the actual shipment. These are referred to as "discrepancies." Each copy of the document must be signed and dated by hand. One copy needs to be given immediately to the transporter, and one is sent to the hazardous waste generator. Another copy must be kept at the waste management facility for at least three years after the date of delivery.

Other actions that must occur include:

• A shipment may be received without a proper manifest; however, in place of the manifest, some other type of documentation must accompany the shipment. The owner or operator of the receiving facility is required to handle the document as though it was a proper manifest.
• In all cases, within three working days of receiving the shipment, the facility must provide copies of the document, regardless of whether it was a proper manifest or some other document, to the exporter, to the EPA, and to competent authorities in all involved countries.

To learn more about RCRA visit our RCRA Hazardous Waste Safety Online Training web page.