Registration for new Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011 is now in force

The end of March 2011 saw changes to waste regulations and the introduction of a two tier system for categorising waste carriers, dealers & brokers.  These regulations affect organisations that:-

• produce waste
• import or export waste
• carry or transport waste
• keep or store waste
• treat waste
• dispose of waste
• operate as waste brokers or dealers.

Any type of business can register as a waste carrier, but an organisation will need to register even if carrying waste is not it’s main business activity or if it only carries waste occasionally.

If an organisation transports controlled waste for other people, or construction and demolition waste that it has produced, it will need to register as an Upper Tier Waste Carrier with the Environment Agency.  If the organisation already had a waste carrier’s certificate before 29 March 2011, then it won't need to re-register and, when the certificate is due for renewal it will be replaced with an upper tier certificate.

A Lower Tier certificate replaces registration as a professional collector or transporter of waste and the holder of the certificate becomes known as a “specified person”.  An organisation must register if it carries:-

• animal by-products
• waste from mines and quarries
• waste from agricultural premises

It is important to understand that it isn’t only profit-making businesses that are affected and that charities and local authorities that handle waste must also register.

Organisations that were registered as a professional collector or transporter of waste before 29 March 2011, will automatically become a lower tier carrier, broker or dealer.

From the end of December 2013, you will also need to register as a lower tier carrier if you normally and regularly carry controlled waste produced by your own business.

There are some exemptions from these regulations and an organisation need not register as a waste carrier if it falls into one of the following categories:-

• waste is only moved between different places within the organisation’s own site
• waste is exported by sea or air from the UK to a destination outside the UK.  Registration will still be needed to transport the waste within the UK to the point of exit.
• waste is imported from outside the UK into the UK, and the waste is landed in its final location.  As above, registration is needed if the waste is transported within the UK.
• ferry operators that transport waste-carrying vehicles
• organisations that have a marine license or marine license exemption and that operate vessels, aircraft, hovercraft, marine structures, floating containers or vehicles that carry waste

For a free fact-sheet, or for an informal discussion about your waste management needs, please contact us by clicking on the button below: