================================================================================ USIFDA - Mobile Extraction Services Compliance Analysis USA Insoluble Fuel Disposal Agency ================================================================================ DEEP ANALYSIS: Mobile Extraction Services — U.S. Regulatory and USIFDA Certification Date: October 9, 2026 Prepared by: USIFDA Regulatory Analysis Status: COMPREHENSIVE TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT (UNITED STATES) ================================================================================ EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ================================================================================ Mobile fuel extraction and on-site recovery are NOT prohibited in the United States. Operators may lawfully perform mobile work when they comply with applicable federal, state, and local rules for hazardous materials transport, workplace safety, fire codes, environmental waste management, insurance, and permitting. USIFDA's position (unchanged): only OEM-prescribed fuel system access methods are certified processes; filler-neck siphoning is not a USIFDA-certified process. Mobile Operators must work under a Compliant Operator, with each vehicle and unit individually assessed. This analysis explains why the compliance burden for mobile operations is high—and why gas stations and insurers should verify the USIFDA Mark. KEY FINDING: Mobile certification is technically achievable but operationally demanding. Few operators maintain the documentation, training, vehicle standards, and insurance USIFDA requires for ongoing Mobile Operator certification. For fuel stations: Without the USIFDA Mark, there has been no independent review of whether a mobile vendor meets DOT, OSHA, EPA, NFPA/IFC, and state requirements. ================================================================================ DETAILED REGULATORY ANALYSIS (UNITED STATES) ================================================================================ 1. U.S. DOT / PHMSA — TRANSPORT OF RECOVERED FUEL (49 CFR PARTS 171–180) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: Recovered gasoline and diesel are typically Class 3 flammable liquids (e.g., UN1203 gasoline, UN1202 or NA1993 diesel). Transport in commerce triggers Hazardous Materials Regulations: packaging, marking, labeling, shipping papers (49 CFR Part 172 Subpart C), placarding (Subpart F), and hazmat training (49 CFR 172.704). Drivers may need a CDL with hazmat endorsement when placarding is required. MATERIALS OF TRADE (49 CFR 173.6): Mobile service vehicles may qualify for the Materials of Trade exception when quantities, packaging, and purpose limits are met. This exception is narrow; operators must document eligibility per trip and not rely on it for bulk recovery. MOBILE OPERATOR REQUIREMENTS: • Written procedures for classifying recovered fuel and selecting packaging • Proper containers, bonding/grounding during transfer, spill kits on vehicle • Shipping papers and emergency response information as required • FMCSA rules for commercial motor vehicles where applicable • MCS-90 or equivalent auto liability when operating as a motor carrier ASSESSMENT: Mobile transport is lawful with full HMR compliance. USIFDA expects documented procedures, training records, and vehicle-specific approvals. VERDICT: ACHIEVABLE — HIGH DOCUMENTATION AND TRAINING BURDEN ================================================================================ 2. OSHA — FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS AND HAZARD COMMUNICATION (29 CFR 1910.106, 1910.1200) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: 1910.106 covers storage and handling of flammable liquids, including bonding, grounding, ventilation, and control of ignition sources. 1910.1200 requires Safety Data Sheets, container labeling, and employee training for fuel and contaminated mixtures. 1910.120 (HAZWOPER) may apply to emergency response operations depending on scope and employer role. MOBILE OPERATOR CHALLENGES: • Variable customer sites (gas station fueling areas, parking lots, roadside) • Hot work and ignition source control in public environments • PPE, fire extinguishers, and spill response at each location • Training for each crew member; documented hazard communication program ASSESSMENT: Mobile work must meet the same OSHA duties as fixed facilities, with added variability. USIFDA requires written job hazard analysis per site type. VERDICT: ACHIEVABLE — REQUIRES ROBUST MOBILE SAFETY PROGRAM ================================================================================ 3. NFPA 30 / NFPA 30A, IFC CHAPTER 57, AND LOCAL FIRE MARSHAL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: NFPA 30 governs flammable and combustible liquids storage and handling. NFPA 30A addresses motor fuel dispensing facilities and repair garages. Many jurisdictions adopt IFC Chapter 57 for flammable liquids. Local fire marshals issue permits for storage tanks on vehicles, temporary tanks, and sometimes for mobile fuel transfer. MOBILE OPERATOR REQUIREMENTS: • Approved tanks and piping on service vehicles where local code requires • Separation distances, secondary containment, and maximum quantities on site • Permits for temporary storage at customer locations in some cities/counties • Coordination with station fire protection systems when work occurs on fueling areas ASSESSMENT: Fire code compliance is jurisdiction-specific. Mobile operators cannot assume one national permit; they must maintain a permit matrix by state/county. VERDICT: ACHIEVABLE — PERMITTING AND INSPECTION COMPLEXITY ================================================================================ 4. U.S. EPA RCRA AND USED OIL — WASTE DETERMINATION (40 CFR PARTS 260–273, PART 279) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: Misfuel mixtures may be hazardous waste if they exhibit RCRA characteristics or are listed wastes; otherwise they may be managed under used-oil rules (Part 279) if applicable. Generators must determine status, meet generator category rules (Part 262), use manifests when required, and ship only to permitted facilities. Spills to water may trigger Clean Water Act reporting (40 CFR Part 110) via the National Response Center (1-800-424-8802). MOBILE OPERATOR REQUIREMENTS: • Point-of-generation documentation (who generated, what, how much, when, where) • Chain of custody to transporter and TSDF or fuel recycler • No abandonment of waste at customer sites; proper labeling of containers • State environmental agency rules (e.g., California DTSC, Texas TCEQ) may add requirements ASSESSMENT: Mobile generation at customer sites is lawful if waste is properly characterized, contained, and tracked. USIFDA aligns with manifest and record retention expectations comparable to fixed facilities. VERDICT: ACHIEVABLE — STRICT RECORD-KEEPING AT EACH JOB SITE ================================================================================ 5. EPA FUEL QUALITY AND CONSUMER PROTECTION (40 CFR PART 1090, FTC ACT) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- REGULATORY FRAMEWORK: Part 1090 addresses fuel quality and dispenser labeling (including E15 misfueling mitigation). Recovered fuel must not be reintroduced into commerce in a manner that violates specifications or misleads consumers. FTC Act Section 5 prohibits unfair or deceptive practices; state Attorneys General enforce UDAP and auto repair laws. MOBILE OPERATOR REQUIREMENTS: • No blending back into retail dispensers without quality assurance and legal review • Clear documentation if fuel is recycled, reprocessed, or destroyed • Honest marketing of services to consumers and stations VERDICT: ACHIEVABLE — COMMERCIAL AND QUALITY CONTROLS REQUIRED ================================================================================ 6. USIFDA CERTIFICATION LAYER (POLICY, NOT STATUTE) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- USIFDA requires (summary): • Compliant Operator oversight of Mobile Operators • OEM-method-only extraction; no filler-neck siphoning as certified process • Per-vehicle assessment and annual Mobile Operator recertification ($2,500/year USD, plus applicable taxes) • Professional liability (E&O), commercial general liability, and commercial auto with MCS-90 endorsement where applicable • Auditable documentation for transport, safety, fire code, and waste determination COMPLIANCE MONITORING: USIFDA cannot inspect every gas station parking lot in real time. Certification depends on operator-submitted evidence, periodic audits, and complaint investigation. Mobile operations increase audit difficulty compared with fixed Certified Repair Facilities. VERDICT: MOBILE CERTIFICATION IS POSSIBLE BUT VERIFICATION IS HARDER THAN FIXED SITES ================================================================================ 7. FUEL STATION AND INSURER DUE DILIGENCE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gas stations and insurers should confirm: • USIFDA Mark and current certification tier (Compliant Operator / Mobile Operator) • DOT training and vehicle registration for hazmat transport • OSHA and fire marshal permits applicable to the work location • Waste shipment records and named disposal or recycling vendors • Insurance certificates meeting USIFDA minimums Without the Mark, none of the above has been independently reviewed by USIFDA. ================================================================================ CONCLUSION ================================================================================ LEGAL STATUS IN THE U.S.: Mobile extraction is not illegal by category. Operators must comply with DOT/PHMSA, OSHA, NFPA/IFC/local fire marshal rules, EPA RCRA and used-oil requirements, and state programs. USIFDA CERTIFICATION: Mobile Operators can be certified when they meet USIFDA technical, insurance, and documentation standards under a Compliant Operator. Practical barriers—permitting, transport documentation, site safety, and audit visibility—explain why most certified work today occurs at fixed Certified Repair Facilities. PENALTIES (ILLUSTRATIVE — INFLATION-ADJUSTED): • RCRA civil penalties can exceed $90,000 per day, per violation (40 CFR Part 19) • DOT hazmat civil penalties can exceed $100,000 per violation; higher if death, serious injury, or substantial property damage occurs (49 U.S.C. 5123) • OSHA penalties exceed $16,000 per serious violation and $160,000 per willful or repeated violation • FTC civil penalties exceed $50,000 per violation; state penalties vary ================================================================================ REGULATORY REFERENCES (OFFICIAL STARTING POINTS) ================================================================================ • EPA hazardous waste: https://www.epa.gov/hw • EPA used oil: https://www.epa.gov/hw/managing-reusing-and-recycling-used-oil • 40 CFR Part 279: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-I/part-279 • 40 CFR Part 262: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-I/part-262 • OSHA 1910.106: https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.106 • PHMSA hazmat: https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/regulations-fr/rules-and-regulations • 49 CFR 173.6: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-173/subpart-A/section-173.6 • NFPA 30 / 30A: https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/nfpa-30-standard-development/30 • National Response Center: https://nrc.uscg.mil/ ================================================================================ END OF ANALYSIS ================================================================================