40 CFR § 265.51 - Purpose and implementation of contingency plan.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t40/s265.51"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "40 CFR § 265.51 - Purpose and implementation of contingency plan."
title_number: 40
title_name: "Protection of Environment"
section_number: "265.51"
section_name: "Purpose and implementation of contingency plan."
chapter_name: "ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY"
subchapter_number: "I"
subchapter_name: "SOLID WASTES"
part_number: "265"
part_name: "INTERIM STATUS STANDARDS FOR OWNERS AND OPERATORS OF HAZARDOUS WASTE TREATMENT, STORAGE, AND DISPOSAL FACILITIES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "42 U.S.C. 6905, 6906, 6912, 6922, 6923, 6924, 6925, 6935, 6936, 6937, and 6939g."
regulatory_source: "45 FR 33232, May 19, 1980, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "265"
---


# 265.51 Purpose and implementation of contingency plan.

(a) Each owner or operator must have a contingency plan for his facility. The contingency plan must be designed to minimize hazards to human health or the environment from fires, explosions, or any unplanned sudden or non-sudden release of hazardous waste or hazardous waste constituents to air, soil, or surface water.

(b) The provisions of the plan must be carried out immediately whenever there is a fire, explosion, or release of hazardous waste or hazardous waste constituents which could threaten human health or the environment.

[45 FR 33232, May 19, 1980, as amended at 50 FR 4514, Jan. 31, 1985]