CIWM chief executive Steve Lee stressed the need today for businesses to keep up to date with their obligations under the Hazardous Waste Regulations in the lead up to the next key stage following implementation – the first set of quarterly returns.Facilities that receive hazardous waste (ie landfill sites) must return these documents for the period 16 July – 30 September to the Environment Agency (EA) by 31 October. The returns indicate the quantity and nature of hazardous waste received from particular sources, and will play a part in the development of the EA’s inspection programme for producer premises.
Waste producers should note that the situation has moved on regarding temporary registration numbers. Temporary numbers were provided to a proportion of producers shortly before the 16 July implementation date, and particularly those covered by bulk registrations via waste contractors. The great majority of producers have now received their permanent codes with only a small number now outstanding. Those who have received their permanent codes should use these immediately and it is expected that all uses of the temporary codes will end shortly.
Following a slow start, registrations of businesses producing hazardous waste with the Environment Agency has picked up considerably with numbers standing at around the 150,000 mark.
Steve Lee commented: ‘It is heartening that so many waste producers have now realised that they need to register, but it is also important that that they do not feel their responsibilities end there.
‘Under the legislation, it is the ultimate responsibility of the waste producer to ensure that their hazardous waste is being dealt with appropriately. They should therefore ensure that they are well-informed so they understand the issues and can talk them through with their waste contractor. Also there will periodically be further developments relating to the regulations so producers need to keep up-to-date.
‘The introduction of a whole raft of waste-related legislation is making life more complex for both producers and waste contractors, but there are plenty of sources of information and guidance available.’
Further information on the Hazardous Waste Regulations is available at www.hazardouswaste.org.uk, www.environment-agency.gov.uk, www.ciwm.co.uk
