Last Updated: August 21, 2026
U.S. EPA — Universal Waste Regulations for Solar Panels and Lithium Batteries
HIGH PRIORITY | Federal | Solar + Batteries
EPA is developing a proposed rule to add hazardous-waste solar panels to the federal Universal Waste regulations in 40 CFR Part 273. EPA is separately developing a new universal-waste category tailored to lithium batteries. EPA states that streamlined solar-panel requirements are intended to promote collection and recycling while maintaining appropriate environmental protections and reducing disposal in municipal solid-waste landfills.
Why it matters: A federal solar universal-waste framework could create greater consistency across states and reduce regulatory friction for legitimate collection and recycling. EPA’s separate treatment of lithium batteries also recognizes the different management and fire-safety issues presented by batteries.
Current status: EPA page last updated July 31, 2026; the agency describes both actions as proposals in development, not final rules.