The Office of Environment & Emergency Management (OEEM) was created on September 12, 2007, and  became the lead  office  responsible for environmental issues. OEEM has the specific responsibilities of integrating environmental considerations into the strategic policy formulation and for administering the Environment Protection Act (Title 25 of the FSM Code). The Act establishes the following responsibilities: formulating and implementing environmental policies and legislation; conducting research and developing strategies; protecting and managing the environment within the National jurisdiction; and coordinating work with the state EPAs when applicable.  

During the 20th Congress of Federated States of Micronesia, First Special Session, 2017, an act to further amend Title 2 of the Code of the Federated States of Micronesia, amending Sections 203 and 204 to dissolve the OEEM and empower the FSM President to further transition of the newly Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Emergency Management (DECEM) was passed.  Under DECEM, there are three divisions namely: 1) Division of Environment and Sustainable Development; 2) Division of Climate Change; and 3) Division of Emergency Management.  The waste unit is under the Division of Environment & Sustainable Development.

DECEM coordinates with its state counterparts namely the Environmental Protection Agencies/KIRMA and the Transportation & Infrastructure/Public Works offices on environment related matters which includes waste management.  In practice, the state governments regulate and implement waste management activities, while the national government is mandated to provide primary regulatory oversight, especially for toxic substances.

At the regional level, FSM collaborates with its partners in environment namely JICA, UNEP, UNCRD, SPREP and others to address waste management issues.

At the international and regional levels, FSM is a party to the Basel Convention, Montreal Protocol, Stockholm Convention, Noumea Convention, and Waigani Convention. As a party, FSM is obligated to address solid and hazardous waste management related issues in collaboration with the relevant stakeholders.