The current hazardous waste regime will change with amendments to the Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005).
The changes come into effect on 1 April 2016 and are aimed at reducing the regulatory burden on business in-line with the Red Tape Challenge as part of the Better Regulation Initiative by the UK Government. [SPOILER ALERT: THIS IS NOT AN APRIL FOOL]
Hazardous Waste Premise Registration
From 1 April 2016, the requirement for businesses operating a hazardous waste premises in England to register premises with the Environment Agency will be withdrawn. This requirement related to the production of over 500 kg in a twelve month period.
This change only applies to premises in England.
Premises in Wales must continue to register with their environmental regulator, Natural Resources Wales.
Consignment Notes
The consequential removal of the Hazardous Waste Premise Registration has caused a change to the format of the unique consignment note code, which will also apply in England from 1 April 2016.
Businesses will need to amend the first six characters of the consignment note code (currently the premises registration number), replacing them with the first six letters or numbers of the business name. Businesses must ensure consistent use of these six letters or numbers. The use of the term “Exempt” will no longer be accepted. The second set of characters will continue to be five numbers or letters relevant to the business.
The changes to the format of the consignment note code, which appears on every consignment note, only apply to consignments starting in England.
Consignment note codes for wastes originating in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland are not changed
It should be recalled that a consignment note must accompany hazardous waste when moved from any premises.
SIC code
The requirement for the SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) code on the consignment note is changing. Currently, the Environment Agency accepted SIC 2003, SIC 2007 or NACE codes on the consignment note.
The amendment of the Hazardous Waste Regulations from 1 April 2016 specify that the correct SIC code is the 2007 version. This requirement is, now, the same as that used for the SIC codes for Waste Transfer Notes (for non-hazardous waste).
For readers interested in the specific application of the amendments to their business, the relevant legislation amending the current Hazardous Waste Regulations can be found at the following locations:
for England
The Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2016
for Wales
The Hazardous Waste (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Wales) Regulations 2015