California Code of Regulations
Title 14 - Natural Resources
Division 7 - Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery
Chapter 3.1 - Compostable Materials Handling Operations and Facilities Regulatory Requirements
Article 7 - Environmental Health Standards
Section 17868.2 - Maximum Metal Concentrations

Universal Citation: 14 CA Code of Regs 17868.2

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) Compost shall not contain metals in excess of the maximum acceptable metal concentrations shown in Table 3. Compost that contains any metal in excess of any maximum metal concentrations shall be designated for additional processing, disposal, or other use as approved by local, state and federal agencies having jurisdiction. Test results of samples must be received by the operator prior to removing compost from the composting operation or facility where it was produced.

Table 3--Maximum Acceptable Metal Concentrations

Constituent Concentration (mg/kg) on dry weight basis
Arsenic (As) 41
Cadmium (Cd) 39
Chromium (Cr) (see subdivision (a)(1) below)
Copper (Cu) 1500
Lead (Pb) 300
Mercury (Hg) 17
Nickel (Ni) 420
Selenium (Se) 100
Zinc (Zn) 2800
(1) Although there is no maximum acceptable metal concentration for chromium in compost, operators subject to subdivision (a) shall arrange for concentrations of chromium in compost they produce to be determined in connection with the analysis of other metals. Operators shall maintain records of all chromium concentrations together with their records of other metal concentrations.

(b) Alternative methods of compliance to meet the requirements of this section may be approved by the EA if the EA determines that the alternative method will ensure that the maximum acceptable metal concentrations shown in Table 3 are not exceeded.

1. New section filed 6-30-95; operative 7-30-95 (Register 95, No. 26).
2. Amendment of first paragraph filed 4-7-97 as an emergency; operative 4-7-97 (Register 97, No. 15). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 8-5-97 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
3. Amendment of first paragraph refiled 4-7-97 as an emergency; operative 4-7-97 (Register 97, No. 31). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 12-1-97 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
4. Certificate of Compliance as to 4-7-97 order transmitted to OAL 11-25-97 and filed 1-9-98 (Register 98, No. 2).
5. Amendment filed 4-4-2003; operative 4-4-2003 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4 (Register 2003, No. 14).
6. Change without regulatory effect amending subsection (b) filed 8-23-2005 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2005, No. 34).
7. Amendment filed 11-10-2015; operative 1-1-2016 (Register 2015, No. 46).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 40502, 43020 and 43021, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 43020 and 43021, Public Resources Code.

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