Regulatory Policy Committee
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The Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 introduced significant changes to the management of hazardous waste, including amendment of The Special Waste Regulations 1996. Key changes included incorporating the European List of Wastes (which expanded the definition of hazardous waste), removing the requirement for advance notification of waste movements, introducing quarterly reporting of consignments instead of individual returns, modifying requirements for multiple collections, and extending the requirement to separate hazardous and non-hazardous waste to producers.
The PIR considers how the regulations apply to England only, as very few provisions apply to Wales. It recommends amending the regulations, particularly considering the upcoming introduction of mandatory digital waste tracking, which provides an opportunity to address identified shortcomings, while maintaining the regulations core objectives around safe waste management.
The RPC finds the evidence base provided appears sufficiently robust and proportionate, effectively demonstrating the successes and limitations of the current regulatory framework. The recommendation to amend the regulations is supported by the evidence presented, particularly considering the upcoming introduction of digital waste tracking.