Regulatory Resources

Compliance with environmental regulations is challenging for retail given the complexity of regulations, broad range of areas and operations that are covered, and variations in requirements by state and even local jurisdictions. The resources below provide an introduction to environmental regulations for retail as well as more detailed information on key regulations. An overview of regulations that apply in retail settings is organized by regulatory area (such as air, hazardous waste, and storage tanks) or by store department. Fact sheets provide a more in-depth look at selected regulations while the matrices track variations in requirements by state for selected regulations.

Regulatory Areas

Air Regulations

Regulations for potential air emissions found in retail such as refrigeration, boilers, asbestos, emergency generators, and fuel stations.

Hazardous Materials Transportation

Regulations for the transportation of items considered hazardous materials under DOT regulations.

Hazardous Waste Regulations

Regulations for the proper management and disposal or recycling of hazardous and universal wastes found in retail.

Other Regulated Waste

Regulations for non-hazardous solid waste found in retail including municipal solid waste, food, medical waste, electronic waste, and more.

Product Compliance and Toxins Regulations

Regulations such as FIRFA, TSCA, state chemical regulations, and VOC standards that apply to certain retail products.

Solid Waste

Resources on solid waste management, recycling and organic waste requirements, and disposal bans.

Storage Tanks

Regulations, including SPCC plans, for above-ground and underground storage tanks.

Water Regulations

Regulations related to water including wastewater, drain disposal, FOG, and stormwater.

Store Departments

Appliances and Electronics

Regulatory areas for appliances and electronics including hazardous waste, e-waste, and refrigerants.

Consumer Products

Regulatory areas for consumer products including hazardous waste, hazardous materials transportation, and environmental standards.

Gasoline and Fuel Dealers

Regulatory areas including USTs, air emissions, emergency planning, spills, and used oil.

Grocery

Regulatory areas for grocery including food waste, air emissions, refrigeration, product sales, and hazardous waste.

Home Improvement

Regulatory areas for home improvement including hazardous waste, pesticides, stormwater, and home repair.

Pharmacy

Regulatory areas for pharmacy including hazardous waste, DEA-controlled substances, reverse distribution, and drain disposal.

Store Operations

Regulatory areas for store operations including maintenance, hazardous materials, boilers, pest management, HVAC, consumer bags, and more.

Vehicles Sales, Maintenance, and Products

Regulatory areas including hazardous waste, used oil, scrap tire management, wastewater, vehicle washing, and vehicle sales.

Pets and Pet Supplies

Regulatory areas for pet and pet supplies including hazardous waste, medical waste, pet food waste, pesticides, and wastewater.

Fact Sheets

California Environmental Regulatory Structure Fact Sheet

Introduction to California regulatory agencies, environmental requirements, enforcement trends, and best practices.

Emergency Generator Fact Sheet

Detailed look at emergency generator air regulations including regulatory requirements and federal compliance options.

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act

Detailed look at the management, enforcement, and disposal of pesticides under FIFRA.

Lithium Batteries Fact Sheet

FAQs on requirements for shipping lithium batteries.

Refrigerant Fact Sheet

Covers air regulations and management requirements that apply in retail covering refrigeration and A/C equipment and ammonia refrigeration systems.

Mandatory Recycling and Disposal Bans Fact Sheet

Overview of state-level recycling regulations and commonly recycled materials such as paper, plastic, metal and glass.

California Organics Recycling Regulations

Summary of California Mandatory Organics Recycling Program (AB 1826) and trends in organics recycling across California’s local jurisdictions.

Chemicals in Consumer Products

Overview and summary of state-level chemical regulations such as bans, restrictions, mandatory reporting, mandatory labeling, or mandatory disclosure.