40 CFR 262.17: Conditions for exemption for a large quantity generator that accumulates hazardous waste
The official text is on the eCFR. Below: how the section is organized, the paragraphs our ASP, CSP questions are built on, and free questions to try.
Quoted from the eCFR, current as of 2026-10-14; last amended 2025-03-21.
How 40 CFR 262.17 is organized
- (a) Accumulation69 paragraphs
- (b) Accumulation time limit extension1 paragraph
- (c) Accumulation of F00616 paragraphs
- (d) F006 transported over 200 miles1 paragraph
- (e) F006 accumulation time extension1 paragraph
- (f)6 paragraphs
- (g) Rejected load3 paragraphs
Paragraphs our practice questions cite most
Counted across the 19 live PassCited questions on this section: our bank, not the real exam.
“(B) An indication of the hazards of the contents (examples include, but are not limited to, the applicable hazardous waste characteristic(s) (i.e., ignitable, corrosive, reactive, toxic); hazard communication consistent with the Department of Transportation requirements at 49 CFR part 172 subpart E (labeling) or subpart F (placarding); a hazard statement or pictogram consistent with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Hazard Communication Standard at 29 CFR 1910.1200; or a chemical hazard label consistent with the National Fire Protection Association code 704); and”
“(C) Use inventory logs, monitoring equipment or other records to demonstrate that hazardous waste has been emptied within 90 days of first entering the tank if using a batch process, or in the case of a tank with a continuous flow process, demonstrate that estimated volumes of hazardous waste entering the tank daily exit the tank within 90 days of first entering; and”
“(4) If the generator demonstrates that any contaminated soils and wastes cannot be practicably removed or decontaminated as required in paragraph (a)(8)(iii)(A)(2) of this section, then the waste accumulation unit is considered to be a landfill and the generator must close the waste accumulation unit and perform postclosure care in accordance with the closure and post-closure care requirements that apply to landfills (§ 265.310 of this subchapter). In addition, for the purposes of closure, post-closure, and financial responsibility, such a waste accumulation unit is then considered to be a lan…”
“(B) Hazardous waste must not be placed in an unwashed container that previously held an incompatible waste or material (see appendix V of part 265 for examples), unless § 265.17(b) of this chapter is complied with.”
“(ii) The large quantity generator must remove all wastes from the drip pad at least once every 90 days. Any hazardous wastes that are removed from the drip pad are then subject to the 90-day accumulation limit in paragraph (a) of this section and § 262.15, if the hazardous wastes are being managed in satellite accumulation areas prior to being moved to a central accumulation area; and”
Free practice questions on 40 CFR 262.17
Question 1
A large quantity generator operates a hazardous waste tank with a continuous flow process. Waste enters every day and is withdrawn every day, so the tank is never fully emptied. During an inspection, the safety professional must show that the tank complies with the accumulation time limit. Which approach meets the requirement for this tank?
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Answer: A. Use inventory logs, monitoring equipment or other records to show that the estimated volumes of waste entering the tank each day exit the tank within 90 days of first entering
EPA's large quantity generator rule, 40 CFR 262.17(a)(5)(ii)(C), requires a continuous flow tank to use logs, monitoring equipment or other records to show that estimated daily volumes exit within 90 days of first entering. Complete emptying every 90 days is the batch-process test. A start-date mark alone is not the tank method. Hazard labels do not show accumulation time.
Answer A rests on
40 CFR 262.17(a)(5)(ii)(C)(opens ecfr.gov in a new tab)“(C) Use inventory logs, monitoring equipment or other records to demonstrate that hazardous waste has been emptied within 90 days of first entering the tank if using a batch process, or in the case of a tank with a continuous flow process, demonstrate that estimated volumes of hazardous waste entering the tank daily exit the tank within 90 days of first entering; and”
Question 2
A large quantity generator has held hazardous waste for 90 days because a disposal facility had a temporary shutdown. The Regional Administrator grants an extension case by case. The generator asks how long the extension can be at most. What is the maximum under the rule?
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Answer: A. Up to 30 days, at the Regional Administrator's discretion
EPA's generator accumulation rule lets the Regional Administrator grant an extension of up to 30 days, case by case, for unforeseen, temporary, and uncontrollable circumstances. The 60-day, 90-day, and 180-day choices exceed that limit; the 180-day period applies only to F006 under specific conditions.
Answer A rests on
40 CFR 262.17(b)(opens ecfr.gov in a new tab)“An extension of up to 30 days may be granted at the discretion of the Regional Administrator on a case-by-case basis.”
Question 3
A large quantity generator operates an electroplating line and wants to keep F006 sludge on site for 150 days without being subject to treatment, storage, and disposal facility requirements. It has pollution prevention practices in place and sends the sludge for legitimate metals recovery. Currently 24,000 kilograms of F006 sit in compliant containers. Which statement is correct?
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Answer: B. The generator does not meet the conditions because more than 20,000 kilograms are accumulated on site
EPA's rule allows F006 accumulation up to 180 days only if all listed conditions are met, including a cap on the amount held at one time. With 24,000 kilograms on site, the generator exceeds that cap. Compliant containers, pollution prevention, recycling, and shipping before day 180 do not cure the excess.
Answer B rests on
40 CFR 262.17(c)(3)(opens ecfr.gov in a new tab)“(3) No more than 20,000 kilograms of F006 waste is accumulated on site at any one time; and”
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A study aid, not legal advice or an official interpretation. Always check the current eCFR text.