Handling, transfer and transport of waste

The government has held several consultations on the new regulations dealing with the handling, transfer and transport of waste.

The government now proposes to bring into force two new sets of regulations in England and Wales in 2010-2011.

What are the waste controls regulations?

The details of these draft regulations are not yet available but they are likely to be:

1. Regulations to deal with waste carrier and broker registration.

These will:

• simplify the existing waste carrier regulations and make them more effective 
• require waste brokers and dealers to register with the Environment Agency 
• set out requirements for transfer notes 
•  increase the maximum level of fines and make more use of fixed penalty notices in enforcing the regulations

2. Regulations to control the stop, search and seizure of vehicles as part of the waste controls enforcement regime.

These will:

• streamline the procedures for seizing and disposing of any vehicle used in an illegal waste operation
• tighten up procedures for tracing the registered keeper of any vehicle used in an illegal waste operation.

When will the waste controls regulations come in to force?

Draft regulations dealing with seizure of vehicles, to be called the Control of Waste (Authority to Transport Waste and Dealing with Seized Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2010, are to be published shortly and are expected to come into force later in 2010.

The regulations dealing with waste carrier/broker registration are likely to come into force in late 2010 or 2011.

Who will the new waste controls regulations affect?

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

Further information

Defra: Why are the controls on waste being reviewed?