HAZARDOUS WASTE REGULATIONS 2002:
NEW REQUIREMENT FOR THE REGISTRATION OF PREMISES PRODUCING HAZARDOUS WASTES

The Change:

On 16 July 2005, the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 will come into force.
The Hazardous Waste Regulations replace the Special Waste Regulations 1996.

Why the Need for Change?

The Environment Agency realised that the requirement for notification of each hazardous waste transfer was not a beneficial or efficient way of monitoring compliance. These new regulations will allow them to focus even more on tackling waste at source, to provide advice and guidance to hazardous waste producers and target those that do not comply with environmental requirements. The changes to the system will enable us to deploy staff from administrative to front-line compliance assessment and enforcement in the field. The national teams providing the customer interface will help to provide a more consistent service.

What is Different?

They Regulations remove the need to notify the Environment Agency of the first and subsequent transfers of hazardous wastes. These notifications were via the first white sheet of the familiar duplicate copy consignment notes purchased from the Environment Agency.

Instead, certain sites generating more than 200kg of hazardous wastes per year will be required to register each year with the Environment Agency as a “Producer of Hazardous Wastes”.

The complete list of hazardous wastes is contained in the European Waste Catalogue, which can be seen at:
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/acrobat/ewc.pdf
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Page 5 starts the list. Any waste marked with an asterisk (*) is considered as a hazardous waste. It includes oil & water from interceptors, and fluorescent tubes where collected separately.

Exemptions are provided for households, shops, offices, schools, prisons and charities producing less or equal to 200kg per year. But, for example, if the site has an interceptor that is regularly cleaned, this limit may be exceeded, thus requiring notification.

Each premises registered will be given a unique registration number - known as a ’premises code’. This will look like “XYZ123”.

Registration is valid for ONE YEAR, and must be renewed if you are still producing hazardous waste.

After the 15 July 2005, it will be an offence to produce at, or remove from, a premises hazardous waste, unless those premises are notified or are exempt from notification.

What is the same?

Consignment notes must continue to be used to provide traceability of waste transfers (“Duty of Care”), but they can be “inhouse” versions, and need not be purchased from the Environment Agency.

HOW DO I REGISTER AS A PRODUCER?

Notification Requirements

You will need your Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) to complete the notification. To aid the identification of your SIC, the Environment Agency has provided a SIC search system on its web-site www.environment-agency.gov.uk/newrulesonwaste.

Alternatively, an alphabetical list of SICs can be found at:
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/methods_quality/sic/alpha_index.asp

The Environment Agency does not require you to provide more than one SIC for your premises. Where your facility involves several operations you should give the SIC for the premises based on the greatest amount of hazardous waste typically produced by the site. It is important that you use the 2003 SIC code, as the HWR require its specific use. 1992 or previous SIC codes will not be accepted.

You will also need you credit card details and / or BAC details, or a cheque book if applying by post.

Applying by Phone:

To notify the Environment Agency that you produce Hazardous Waste ring 08708 502858 and ask to make a Hazardous Waste registration. Applications by phone can be made between 0900 and 1700 hours Monday to Friday excluding Good Friday, Christmas Day, bank holidays or other public holidays. The registration number is provided instantly when you pay by credit/debit card only).The charge for this will be £23 per premises registered.

Applying by Internet:

The Environment Agency are currently experiencing technical difficulties with our online registration system and they are working to rectify them.

Paper application:

You can register now in writing however this is the most expensive option. The appropriate form can be obtained can be obtained by ringing 08708 502858 or download the form from the website http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk. The charge for this is £28 per premises registered.

Waste Management Contractor’s Agency Application:

As your waste management contractor we can perform this registration on your behalf. An administration charge will be made for this service.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Either contact us or the Environment Agency 08708 502858, or see the Environment Agency’s website:
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/newrulesonwaste