Compliance
The Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifest
Filling in EPA Form 8700-22 correctly, box by box.
EPA Form 8700-22 is the federal shipping document for hazardous waste. It identifies the generator, transporters and designated facility, describes the waste by DOT shipping name and EPA waste codes, and records signatures at each transfer of custody.
Source: 40 CFR 262.20 through 262.27The boxes that cause problems
Most manifest errors cluster in the same few fields:
- Box 9b, DOT proper shipping name. Must match 49 CFR exactly, including technical names in brackets where required
- Box 13, waste codes. Every applicable federal and state code, not just the first one
- Box 14, special handling instructions. Where the land disposal restriction notification is commonly referenced
- Box 15, generator certification. Includes the waste minimization certification most people sign without reading
- Box 8, designated facility. Must be permitted for the codes in box 13
- Container type and quantity. Must reflect what actually went on the truck
The certification you are signing
Box 15 certifies three things: that the contents are fully and accurately described, that they are classified, packaged, marked and labeled correctly, and that you have a waste minimization program in place.
That third one catches people. A large quantity generator certifies to a program that reduces volume and toxicity to the degree economically practicable. Most sites sign it with nothing behind it, which is a false certification on a federal form.
Common questions
Can I use a paper manifest?
Yes. Paper manifests remain valid and the receiving facility submits them to e-Manifest, paying a higher per manifest fee than electronic submission. That fee is usually passed through.
How many copies are there?
The paper form is a multi part set. The generator keeps one at shipment, transporters and the facility retain theirs, and a signed copy returns to the generator after receipt.
What if the waste does not match the manifest?
The receiving facility may reject the load. A rejected load returns or is re routed at the generator's cost, with a new manifest, and it draws attention. Accurate description at the start is far cheaper.
Related services
Not sure how this applies to your site?
Send a profile, an old manifest, or photographs of the drums. A technical professional will tell you where you stand.
This page summarizes federal requirements and is not legal advice. State programs can be more stringent than the federal baseline. Verify against current federal and state regulations before acting. Last reviewed September 2026.