Which act governs hazardous waste?

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) is the primary federal law governing the management of hazardous waste. Enacted by Congress in 1976, its main focus is to ensure the proper management of hazardous waste from its creation to its disposal. The act establishes a framework for the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste, aiming to protect human health and the environment.

Under RCRA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is given authority to manage hazardous waste with a system that includes regulations for waste identification, classification, and the implementation of standards for treatment and disposal facilities. This regulatory framework mandates various practices and standards to minimize the potential harm from hazardous waste.

Other acts mentioned in the choices focus on different areas of environmental and health regulations. For instance, the Clean Water Act focuses on regulating discharges into water bodies, while the Occupational Safety and Health Act pertains to workplace safety standards. The Food and Drug Act regulates food safety and drug approval processes, rather than hazardous waste management.