Section 25201.16.
Cal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 25201.16.
in effect(a)
For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1)
“Aerosol can” means a nonrefillable receptacle containing a gas compressed, liquefied, or dissolved under pressure, the sole purpose of which is to expel a liquid, paste, or powder and fitted with a self-closing release device allowing the contents to be ejected by the gas.
(2)
“Aerosol can processing” means the puncturing, draining, or crushing of aerosol cans.
(3)
“Destination facility,” as used in Chapter 23 (commencing with Section 66273.1) of Division 4.5 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations,
also includes a facility that treats, except as described in subdivision (d), or disposes of, a hazardous waste aerosol can that is shipped to the facility as a universal waste aerosol can, except destination facility does not include a facility at which universal waste aerosol cans are merely accumulated.
(4)
“Hazardous waste aerosol can” means an aerosol can that meets the definition of hazardous waste, as defined in Section 25117.
(5)
“Unauthorized release” means a release to the environment that is in violation of any applicable federal, state, or local law, or any permit or other approval document issued by any federal, state, or local agency.
(6)
“Universal waste aerosol can” means a hazardous waste aerosol can while it is being managed in accordance with the department’s regulations governing the management of
universal waste, except as required otherwise in subdivisions (d) to (k), inclusive. Upon receipt of a universal waste aerosol can by a destination facility for purposes of treatment or disposal, the can is no longer a universal waste aerosol can, but continues to be a hazardous waste aerosol can.
(7)
With respect to a universal waste aerosol can, the term “universal waste handler,” as defined in Section 66273.9 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, does not include either of the following:
(A)
A person who treats, except as described in subdivision (h), or disposes of hazardous waste aerosol cans including universal waste aerosol cans.
(B)
A person engaged in offsite transportation of hazardous waste aerosol cans, including, but not limited to, universal waste aerosol cans, by air, rail, highway, or
water, including a universal waste aerosol can transfer facility.
(b)
(1)
The requirements of this section apply to any person who manages aerosol cans, except for the following:
(A)
Aerosol cans that are not yet wastes pursuant to Chapter 11 (commencing with Section 66261.1) of Division 4.5 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.
(B)
Aerosol cans that do not exhibit a characteristic of a hazardous waste as set forth in Article 3 (commencing with Section 66261.20) of Chapter 11 of Division 4.5 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.
(C)
Aerosol cans that are empty pursuant to subsection (m) of Section 66261.7 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.
(2)
(A)
An aerosol can becomes a waste on the date the aerosol can is discarded or is no longer useable. An aerosol can is deemed to be no longer useable when any of the following occurs:
(i)
The can is as empty as possible, using standard practices.
(ii)
The spray mechanism no longer operates as designed.
(iii)
The propellant is spent.
(iv)
The product is no longer used.
(B)
An unused aerosol can is a waste, for purposes of Section 25124, on the date the owner decides to discard it.
(c)
(1)
The disposal of any hazardous waste aerosol can is subject to the
requirements of this chapter, and to any regulations adopted by the department relating to the disposal of hazardous waste.
(2)
Except as otherwise provided in this section, the treatment or storage of any hazardous waste aerosol can is subject to the requirements of this chapter, and any regulations adopted by the department relating to the treatment and storage of hazardous waste.
(d)
(1)
Except as provided in paragraph (2), a universal waste aerosol can is deemed to be a universal waste for purposes of the department’s regulations governing the management of universal wastes.
(2)
The exemptions described in Chapter 23 (commencing with Section 66273.1) of Division 4.5 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations for universal waste generated by households and conditionally exempt small
quantity waste generators of universal waste do not apply to universal waste aerosol cans.
(e)
A universal waste handler shall manage universal waste aerosol cans in a manner that prevents fire, explosion, and the unauthorized release of any universal waste or component of a universal waste to the environment.
(f)
A container used to accumulate or transport universal waste aerosol cans, or the contents removed from a universal waste aerosol can or processing device, unless the contents have been determined to not be hazardous waste, shall meet all of the following requirements:
(1)
(A)
Except when waste is added or removed or as provided in subparagraph (B), the container shall be closed, structurally sound, and compatible with the contents of the universal waste aerosol can, shall show no
evidence of leakage, spillage, or damage that could cause leakage under reasonably foreseeable conditions, and shall be protected from sources of heat.
(B)
The closed container requirement in subparagraph (A) does not apply to a container used to accumulate universal waste aerosol cans prior to processing the cans pursuant to subdivision (h), or prior to shipping the cans offsite, except that the container shall be covered at the end of each workday.
(2)
The container shall be placed in a location that has sufficient ventilation to avoid formation of an explosive atmosphere, and shall be designed, built, and maintained to withstand pressures reasonably expected during storage and transportation.
(3)
(A)
The container shall be placed on or above a floor or other surface that is free of cracks or
gaps and is sufficiently impervious and bermed to contain leaks and spills.
(B)
Subparagraph (A) does not apply to a container used to accumulate universal waste aerosol cans prior to processing the cans pursuant to subdivision (h) or prior to shipping the cans offsite.
(4)
Incompatible materials shall be kept segregated and managed appropriately in separate containers.
(5)
A container holding flammable wastes shall be kept at a safe distance from heat and open flames.
(6)
A container used to hold universal waste aerosol cans shall be labeled or marked clearly with one of the following phrases: “Universal Waste-Aerosol Cans,” “Waste Aerosol Cans,” or “Used Aerosol Cans.”
(7)
Universal
waste aerosol cans that show evidence of leakage shall be packaged in a separate closed container or overpacked with absorbents, or immediately punctured and drained in accordance with the requirements of subdivision (h).
(g)
A universal waste handler shall accumulate universal waste aerosol cans in accumulation containers that meet the requirements of subdivision (f), as long as each individual aerosol can is not breached and remains intact. The universal waste aerosol cans shall be accumulated in a manner that is sorted by type and compatibility of contents.
(h)
A universal waste handler may process a universal waste aerosol can to remove and collect the contents of the universal waste aerosol can, if the universal waste handler meets all of the following requirements:
(1)
The handler is not an offsite commercial
processor of aerosol cans. For the purposes of this paragraph, a household hazardous waste collection facility, as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 25218.1, is not an offsite commercial processor.
(2)
The handler ensures that the universal waste aerosol can is processed in a manner and in equipment designed, maintained, and operated so as to prevent fire, explosion, and the unauthorized release of any universal waste or component of a universal waste to the environment.
(3)
The handler ensures that the unit used to process the universal waste aerosol cans is placed on or above a nonearthen floor that is free of cracks or gaps and is sufficiently impervious and bermed to contain leaks and spills.
(4)
The handler ensures that the processing operations are performed safely by developing and implementing a written
operating procedure detailing the safe processing of universal waste aerosol cans. This written procedure shall be maintained onsite at all times and the handler shall maintain a copy of the manufacturer’s specifications and instructions for the device used to puncture and drain the aerosol cans. The procedure shall, at a minimum, include all of the following:
(A)
The type of equipment to be used to process the universal waste aerosol cans safely.
(B)
Operation and maintenance of the unit.
(C)
Segregation of incompatible wastes.
(D)
Proper waste management practices, including ensuring that flammable wastes are stored away from heat and open flames.
(E)
Waste characterization.
(F)
Protocols to minimize, mitigate, prevent, control, and clean up any unauthorized release, including any spill or leak.
(5)
The handler ensures that a spill cleanup kit is readily available to immediately clean up spills or leaks of the contents of the universal waste aerosol can.
(6)
The handler immediately transfers the contents of the universal waste aerosol can or processing device, if applicable, to a container that meets the requirements of subdivision (f), and characterizes and manages the contents pursuant to subdivision (i).
(7)
The handler ensures that the area in which the universal waste aerosol cans are processed is well ventilated.
(8)
The handler ensures, through a training
program utilizing the written operating procedures developed pursuant to paragraph (4), that each employee is thoroughly familiar with the procedure for sorting and processing universal waste aerosol cans, and proper waste handling and emergency procedures relevant to the handler’s responsibilities during normal facility operations and emergencies.
(9)
The handler shall recycle the empty punctured aerosol cans, pursuant to subdivision (m) of Section 66261.7 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.
(i)
A universal waste handler who processes universal waste aerosol cans to remove the contents of the aerosol can, or who generates other waste as a result of the processing of aerosol cans, shall determine whether the contents of the universal waste aerosol can, residues, or other wastes exhibit a characteristic of hazardous waste identified in Article 3 (commencing with
Section 66261.20) of Chapter 11 of Division 4.5 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.
(1)
If the contents of the universal waste aerosol can, residues, or other wastes exhibit a characteristic of hazardous waste, those wastes shall be managed in compliance with all applicable requirements of this chapter and the regulations adopted by the department pursuant to this chapter. The universal waste handler shall be deemed the generator of that hazardous waste and is subject to the requirements of Chapter 12 (commencing with Section 66262.10) of Division 4.5 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations.
(2)
If the contents of the universal waste aerosol can, residues, or other wastes are not hazardous, the universal waste handler shall manage those wastes in a manner that is in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local requirements.
(j)
(1)
A universal waste handler that processes universal waste aerosol cans shall, no later than the date on which the handler first initiates this activity, submit a notification, in person or by certified mail, with return receipt requested, to either of the following:
(A)
The Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 25123.7, if the facility is under the jurisdiction of a CUPA.
(B)
If the facility is not under the jurisdiction of a CUPA, the notification shall be submitted to the agency authorized, pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 25404.3, to implement and enforce the requirements of this chapter listed in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 25404.
(2)
Each notification
submitted pursuant to this subdivision shall be completed, dated, and signed according to the requirements of Section 66270.11 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, and shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following information:
(A)
The name, identification number, site address, mailing address, and telephone number of the handler.
(B)
A description of the universal waste aerosol can processing activities, including the type and estimated volumes or quantities of universal waste aerosol cans to be processed monthly, the treatment process or processes, equipment descriptions, and design capacities.
(C)
A description of the characteristics and management of any hazardous treatment residuals.
(3)
(A)
Within 30
days of any change in operation that necessitates modifying any of the information submitted in the notification required pursuant to this subdivision, the handler shall submit an amended notification, in person or by certified mail, with return receipt requested, to one of the following:
(i)
The CUPA, if the facility is under the jurisdiction of a CUPA.
(ii)
If the facility is not under the jurisdiction of a CUPA, the notification shall be submitted to the agency authorized, pursuant to subdivision (f) of Section 25404.3, to implement and enforce the requirements of this chapter listed in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) of Section 25404.
(B)
Each amended notification shall be completed, dated, and signed in accordance with the requirements of Section 66270.11 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, as
those requirements apply to hazardous waste facilities permit applications.
(k)
In addition to the requirements set forth in Article 5 (commencing with Section 66273.50) of Chapter 23 of Division 4.5 of Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, during transportation, including holding time at a transfer facility, a transporter of universal waste aerosol cans shall comply with the following requirements:
(1)
The transporter shall transport and otherwise manage universal waste aerosol cans in a manner that prevents fire, explosion, and the unauthorized release of any universal waste, or component of a universal waste, into the environment.
(2)
Universal waste aerosol cans shall be transported and stored in accumulation containers that are clearly marked or labeled for that use and that meet the requirements of
subdivision (f).
(
l
)
The department may adopt regulations specifying any additional requirement or limitation on the management of hazardous waste aerosol cans that the department determines is necessary to protect human health or safety or the environment.
(m)
The development and publication of the notification form specified in subdivision (j) is not subject to the requirements described in Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part I of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.
(n)
In addition to the requirements set forth in this section, a hazardous waste aerosol can shall be managed in a manner that meets all requirements established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
References
referencesCal. Government Code - GOV § 11340.
referencesCal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 25117.
referencesCal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 25124.
referencesCal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 25218.1.
referencesCal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 25123.7.
referencesCal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 25404.3.
referencesCal. Health and Safety Code - HSC § 25404.
Source: CA Legislative Counsel Bulk DataURL: https://downloads.leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/pubinfo_2025.zipFetched: 6/27/2026