(a) A waste shall be classified a hazardous waste if it meets the definition of a hazardous waste in section 66261.3.

(b) No person shall deviate from the provisions of this chapter in the management of a hazardous waste, except as provided for in section 66260.200(f) or section 66260.210.

(c) It shall be the generator's responsibility to determine if the waste is classified as a hazardous waste pursuant to section 66260.200(a). If the generator determines that the waste is hazardous, the waste shall be managed pursuant to the provisions of this division. If the generator determines that the waste is nonhazardous, the generator, except as provided for in section 66260.200(f), may either proceed to manage the waste as nonhazardous or apply to the Department for concurrence with the nonhazardous determination through the notification procedure set forth in section 66260.200(d) before managing the waste as nonhazardous. A generator who incorrectly determines that a hazardous waste is nonhazardous and fails to manage the waste pursuant to the provisions of this division is in violation of the requirements of this division and is subject to enforcement action.

(d) If a person chooses to obtain departmental concurrence with the nonhazardous waste determination, a notification shall be submitted to the Department which includes all information required by section 66260.200(m). Pending concurrence by the Department pursuant to section 66260.200(e), that person shall manage the waste as hazardous waste.

(e) The Department, within 30 days of receipt of a notification pursuant to section 66260.200(d), shall acknowledge in writing receipt of the notification. Within 60 days of receipt of a notification, the Department shall notify the sender of the notification in writing that concurrence with that person's classification of the waste as nonhazardous is approved, disapproved, or that the notification is incomplete or inadequate and what additional information is needed. Upon receipt of the additional information, the Department, within 60 days of receipt of the additional information, shall notify the sender of the notification in writing that concurrence of that person's classification of the waste as nonhazardous is approved or disapproved. The notification shall be considered disapproved if the sender of the notification fails to provide the additional information within 90 days from the date the information was requested. However, that person may request in writing an extension, up to 90 days, within which the information shall be submitted or the notification shall be considered disapproved.

(f) If a person wishes to classify and manage as nonhazardous a waste which would otherwise be a non-RCRA hazardous waste because it has mitigating physical or chemical characteristics which render it insignificant as a hazard to human health and safety, livestock and wildlife, that person shall apply to the Department for its approval to classify and manage the waste as nonhazardous. The application for approval shall include the information required by section 66260.200(m). The Department, within 30 days of receipt of the application, shall acknowledge in writing receipt of the application. Pending written approval by the Department, the applicant shall manage the waste as hazardous waste. Within 60 days of receipt of an application, the Department shall notify the applicant in writing that the application for classification and management of the waste as nonhazardous is approved, disapproved, or that the application is incomplete or inadequate and what additional information is needed. Upon receipt of the additional information, the Department, within 60 days of receipt of the additional information, shall notify the applicant in writing that the application for classification and management of the waste as nonhazardous is approved or disapproved. The application shall be considered disapproved if the applicant fails to provide the additional information in writing 90 days from the date the information was requested. However, the applicant may request, in writing, an extension up to 90 days, within which the information shall be submitted or the application shall be considered disapproved.

(g) The Department may find that the notification submitted by a person pursuant to section 66260.200(d) or the application submitted pursuant to section 66260.200(f) is incomplete or inadequate for reasons which may include any of the following:

(h) If the Department disapproves of a person's determination that a waste is nonhazardous or a person's application to manage as nonhazardous a waste which would otherwise be a non-RCRA hazardous waste, the Department shall give in writing the reason for the disapproval.

(i) If the Department at any time finds that the information submitted or generated for a determination pursuant to section 66260.200(c), a concurrence pursuant to section 66260.200(d) or an approval pursuant to 66260.200(f) was erroneous for any of the following reasons, the Department may notify that person in writing of the deficiencies:

(j) A person, upon receipt of such notice under section 66260.200(i), shall immediately cease managing the subject waste as a nonhazardous waste and shall manage the waste as hazardous waste.

That person may submit to the Department an amended notification or application. Within 30 days of receipt of an amended notification or application, the Department shall acknowledge in writing receipt of the amended notification or application. Within 60 days of receipt of an amended notification or application, the Department shall notify the sender of the notification or the applicant in writing that the notification or application is approved, disapproved, or that the notification or application is incomplete or inadequate and what additional information is needed. Upon receipt of the additional information, the Department, within 60 days of receipt of the additional information, shall notify the sender of the notification or the applicant in writing that the notification or application is approved or disapproved. The notification or application shall be considered disapproved if the additional information is not provided within 90 days from the date the information was requested. However, the sender of the notification or the applicant may request in writing an extension, up to 90 days, within which the information shall be submitted or the notification or application shall be considered disapproved.

(k) Not later than 60 days after receipt of an adequate notification or application under section 66260.200(d) or (f), the Department may request representative samples of wastes. The sender of the notification or the applicant shall maintain representative samples for that period of time. The quantity of sample submitted shall be adequate to conduct verification tests. Samples shall be collected, packaged, transported and stored in accordance with the sample management procedures in “Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical and Chemical Methods” (SW-846), Third Edition, incorporated by reference in section 66260.11.

(l) If the waste changes so that the prior notification or application as nonhazardous no longer adequately assesses the waste by the criteria which may render it hazardous, the waste shall be managed as hazardous.

(m) A person seeking Department concurrence with a nonhazardous determination or approval to classify and manage as nonhazardous a waste which would otherwise be a non-RCRA hazardous waste shall supply the following information to the Department:

(n) Notwithstanding the time frames specified above, the Department shall not notify the applicant of the Department's decision regarding a notification submitted pursuant to subsection (d) of this section or an application submitted pursuant to subsection (f) of this section until the California Board of Equalization receives the fee assessed pursuant to Health and Safety Code section 25205.8.