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Defra consults on cuts to hazardous waste red tape

   

INFORMATION BUILLETIN

Ref: 360/08
Date: 13 November 2008

Proposals to amend the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 have been published for public consultation today.

The proposed main change to the regulations, which came into force in July 2005, is to widen the existing exemption from the requirement to notify the Environment Agency that a site is producing hazardous waste.  Currently, certain low-risk premises are exempt from this requirement if they produce less than 200kg of hazardous waste each year.

A review of the regulations has found that it is safe to increase this exemption to include premises producing less than 500kg of hazardous waste in any year.  The proposed amendment would aim to reduce the regulatory burden on businesses while continuing to ensure the necessary safeguards are in place.  Under the proposals, around 72,600 producers of hazardous waste will benefit from less red tape.

Defra is consulting on this amendment, along with other minor changes to the regulations, until 6 February 2009. The consultation can be found at:      
www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/hazardous-wasteregs/

Notes to editors

1.  The Hazardous Waste Regulations transpose the requirements of the EC’s Hazardous Waste Directive (91/689/EEC) and set out requirements for the controlled management of hazardous waste from the point of production to the final point of disposal or recovery.

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Page published: 13 November 2008