Legislation – Material specific regulations
There are further material-specific regulations that businesses must also comply with. These regulations exist because some materials are more harmful to humans and the environment. Regulations currently exist for the following:
- Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
- Packaging Waste
- Hazardous Waste
- Batteries
- End-of-life Vehicles
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
The WEEE Regulations aim to reduce the amount of this waste going to landfill and improve recovery and recycling rates. You will need to comply with the WEEE Regulations if you:
- Manufacture or import electrical or electronic equipment
- Distribute electrical or electronic equipment
- Generate any electrical or electronic waste
- Collect electrical or electronic waste from your customers for treatment or disposal
- Operate a waste treatment facility
- Export electrical or electronic waste
You may be prosecuted if you fail to comply with the regulations. Further guidance on the WEEE regulations and legislation is provided on the NetRegs website.
Packaging Waste
There are two sets of regulations you may need to comply with:
The Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations apply to you if your business produces packaged products, or places packaging or packaged goods on the market.
The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations organisations are obligated if they meet both of the following two threshold tests:
- They handle more than 50 tonnes of packaging a year
- They have a turnover in excess of £2 million per annum
Additional guidance on packaging regulations is provided on the NetRegs website.
Compliance and reporting requirements are managed by the Environment Agency.
Hazardous Waste
Many businesses produce waste that is harmful to human health or the environment. This waste may be flammable, corrosive, or ecotoxic - toxic to people or the environment. In England, this waste is known as hazardous waste.
Almost all businesses will produce some hazardous waste, for example:
- Clinical waste - human or animal tissue, blood or other bodily fluids, excretions, drugs or other pharmaceutical products, swabs or dressings including nappies, syringes, needles or other sharp instruments
- Garage waste - lead acid batteries, contaminated rags, used oil/fuel filters, aerosols, antifreeze and brake fluids
- Office waste - fluorescent tubes, energy-saving light bulbs, sodium lamps, toner and ink jet cartridges from printers and photocopiers and old computer monitors
Guidance on the NetRegs website explains what hazardous waste is and the correct way of storing, transporting and disposing of it.
Batteries
The regulations affect any business that uses, produces, supplies, or disposes of batteries, as well as any business that manufactures or designs battery-powered products.
Specifically, the regulations affect the following businesses:
- Manufacturers
- Importers
- Distributors
- End-users (virtually every business in the UK)
- Businesses involved in treating and recycling waste batteries and accumulators
- Vehicle sales and maintenance businesses
More information on the battery recycling regulations can be found on the NetRegs website.
End-of-life Vehicles
Guidance on the NetRegs website outlines the main requirements of the end-of-life vehicle legislation. You should follow it if you manufacture vehicles, dispose of vehicles after owning them or accept waste motor vehicles onto your site.
