Since certain components of electronic devices may be considered hazardous due to heavy metal or other constituents, the end-of-life handling of some electronic discards is regulated by either federal (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act--RCRA) or State (Health and Safety Code) hazardous waste laws, or both. Regulations in Title 14, Division 7 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) were promulgated to implement the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003, with primary departments being CalRecycle and Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC).

Rulemaking

Proposed Regulations

• Designated Approved Collectors Regulations: CalRecycle proposes to enact regulations that would amend aspects of current regulations governing the Covered Electronic Waste (CEW) Recycling Program, as well as finalize existing emergency regulations relative to Designated Approved Collectors.

Current Covered Electronic Waste Program Regulations

• Official CCR website: Browse the official online version of the CCR regulations pertaining to the Covered Electronic Waste Program.
• Unofficial E-Waste Regulations (PDF): This unofficial copy of the regulations is the latest implementation of the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 (Act), Chapter 526, Statutes of 2003; as amended by Chapter 863, Statutes of 2004.”

Emergency Regulations

• Designated Approved Collectors Emergency Regulations were readopted and approved by the Office of Administrative Law on March 5, 2019. (Previous action: March 16, 2017)
• Covered Electronic Waste Recovery and Recycling Payment Rates Emergency Regulations were approved by the Office of Administrative Law on June 28, 2018.
• Structure for Multiple Payment Rates Emergency Regulations were approved by the Office of Administrative Law on May 9, 2018.
• Covered Electronic Waste: Assessing Civil Liabilities Emergency Regulations were readopted and approved by the Office of Administrative Law on August 28, 2017. (Previous action: October 5, 2015)
• Covered Electronic Waste: Managing Residual Cathode Ray Tubes Emergency Regulations were readopted and approved by the Office of Administrative Law on August 1, 2017. (Previous action: August 21, 2015)
• Electronic Waste Recycling Fee Emergency Regulations were approved by the Office of Administrative Law on December 5, 2017.
• DTSC CRT Emergency Regulations for Electronic Hazardous Wastes were finalized and became effective October 22, 2018.

Regulations

• Regulations Amending the Electronic Waste Recycling Program were approved by the Office of Administrative Law on September 17, 2018 and became effective on October 1, 2018.

Statute

• Public Resources Code (42460-42486) outlines the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003.
• California's Health and Safety Code – Electronic Waste (Health and Safety Code Section 25214.9-25214.10.2, Article 10.3)
• SB 50 (Sher) was signed into law September 29, 2004 to clarify certain provisions of SB 20.
• SB 20 (Sher) was signed into law on September 25, 2003.
• CalRecycle rulemaking files contain the more important rulemaking documents, such as the Text of Proposed Regulations, Notice of Rulemaking, Initial and Final Statements of Reasons (ISOR/FSOR), Plain English Summary, Responses to Comments, and Final Text of Approved Regulations.
• DTSC Laws, Regulations, and Policies
• Summary of DTSC response letter to the Materials for the Future Foundation (MFF) Issued March 20, 2001, to clarify how California regulates cathode ray tubes (CRT).U.S. EPA EPA has enacted an exclusion from the definition of solid waste which streamlines RCRA management requirements for used CRTs and glass removed from CRTs sent for recycling. (Note: California law may be more stringent than federal law.) U.S. EPA FAQ for regulation of used CRTs & CRT glass.