Data are collected, validated, and maintained by the State or the EPA Regional offices. Every month, agreed-upon parts of these databases are uploaded to the National Oversight database. The waste handler is characterized in its current status as waste generator, TSD, or transporter. A waste handler can fall into multiple categories. For example, a waste generator can be a TSD facility and a transporter.
Additional information is collected for some groups of waste handlers.
For example, for TSDs, latitude and longitude information is collected through Part A of a permit form, and for transporters the mode of transportation of waste is collected. A TSD facility has to obtain a permit from the appropriate authorized authority to operate or to close operation. A facility has to satisfy a series of requirements to assure the authorized authority that RCRA waste will be managed in accordance with the RCRA program. The authorized authority tracks each event in the permitting cycle for its records. Releases or spills can occur at the site of any waste handler.