Home > Waste > Waste Regulation & Legislation > Hazardous Waste

Hazardous Waste

The Environment and Heritage Service is responsible for the enforcement of the Hazardous Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 and the Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000.

Hazardous wastes are those which are dangerous and difficult to handle. If your business produces hazardous waste you have a 'duty of care to makesure it's disposed of properly. The purpose of the Hazardous Waste Regulations is to provide an effective system of control for these wastes and to ensure that they are soundly managed from their point of production to their final destination for disposal or recovery.

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are recognised as a threat to the environment due to their toxicity, persistence and tendency to accumulate in the bodies of animals. Holders of equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and other dangerous substances are legally required to register their holdings with the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS), label the equipment and phase out and safely dispose of significant PCB holdings.

Hazardous Waste - Frequently Asked Questions (pdf 77 KB )

NI Hazardous Waste Forum

PCBs

Hazardous Waste

The Hazardous Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 came into operation on 16th July 2005 .

EHS administer and control a consignment note system requiring a unique code for each particular movement of hazardous waste as system of control for dangerous and difficult to handle wastes.

Who the regulations apply to?

To persons who produce, carry and receive hazardous waste whether for the purpose of keeping, treating or disposal.

Which waste streams?

Include asbestos waste, fluorescent tubes, fridges containing cfcs, used engine oil, used oil filters, brake fluid, lead acid batteries, some printer toner cartridges and waste paint and thinners.

How do I know if my waste is Hazardous?

We have produced a simple non-technical guide to help you determine if your waste is hazardous or not

The Classification of Hazardous Waste - Hazguide NI 03 (pdf 91KB)

WM2 Hazardous Waste: Interpretation of the definition and classification of Hazardous Waste

The EHS in conjunction with the Environment Agency and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, have also produced a more detailed technical document called WM2, Hazardous Waste: Interpretation of the definition and classification of hazardous waste. This document has been revised to take account of changes in the Approved Supply List and more recently to clarify excotoxicity assessment. You can download each section at the bottom of this page.

Consignment Note System

The basic features of the consignment note system required by the previous regulations have been retained with a few adjustments and additions. A new standard coding system has been introduced whereby a consignment note must have a unique code for that particular movement of hazardous waste. This must be purchased from the EHS.

One of the new features of the consignment note is the requirement in Part B to enter the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC 2003) code for the process giving rise to the waste.

Click to view the the list of SIC Codes 2007( pdf - 968 Kb )

Further information about UK SIC (2007) see Statistics.gov.uk/sic

Fees

To help the EHS supervise the movements of hazardous wastes fees have been retained. The fees vary depending on the type of movement involved, either £24, £10, or in certain cases, the codes will be issued free of charge.

Other requirements

Other requirements introduced by the regulations include restrictions on the mixing of wastes, revised requirements for record keeping, periodic inspections of waste producers' facilities by EHS staff and fixed penalty notices for certain offences.