Monday 6th April 2009

The Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2009

As of today (6th April 2009) new amendments to The 2005 Hazardous Waste Regulations come into force.

What do these changes mean to you?

The Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 replaced the Special Waste Regulations in June 2005. The regulations required hazardous waste producers to register by July 16 2005, and, on an annual basis thereafter in order to comply with the regulations.

Todays amendments affect the following areas:

1. Exemptions from registration as a hazardous waste producer

This is the most important change to the regulations and relates to the exemption from regulation.

The qualifying weight of hazardous waste produced in a year is now 500kg before you need to apply for premises registration. Previously you had to be an exempt activity (shop, office, medical practice) and the limit was only 200kg. This modification will allow thousands of small producers to avoid the charges for premises registration saving an estimated 16 million pounds for UK business.

Examples of approximately 500kg of hazardous waste are shown below:
• 25 small TVs or computer monitors
• 35 lead acid batteries
• 5000 fluorescent tubes
• 12 small domestic fridges

2. Asbestos

There was confusion over who was responsible for the management of asbestos waste from domestic properties, the amended regulations have cleared this up. The regulations do not impose obligations on a householder when disposing of asbestos. The onus now lies with the contractor who is engaged to carry out the work. The contractor therefore becomes the producer of the waste.

3. Shop Premises

Hazardous waste produced at a shop premises by customers of the occupier shall be treated as waste produced by the occupier.

If you require help with premises registration please call Enviroco on 01493 856722 and we will be happy to help.

Follow the link below to register through our website.

Website Link: http://www.enviroco.co.uk/hazard.php