The regulations remove the current need to pre-notify us before hazardous waste can be moved off- site, and include a simpler method for tracking wastes once they have been moved. They include a new system to ensure that certain sites where hazardous waste is produced are notified to us. This will improve the whole regulation of the hazardous waste chain from source site to waste site.
These new regulations will allow us to focus even more on tackling waste at source, to provide advice and guidance to hazardous waste producers and target those that do not comply with environmental requirements.
The changes to the system will enable us to deploy staff from administrative to front-line compliance assessment and enforcement in the field. The national teams providing the customer interface will help to provide a more consistent service. Combining this with new IT systems that will provide intelligence from registration/consignment data we will be able to better target priority waste streams and business sectors. The introduction of sending in quarterly summaries of consignment notes rather than individual ones will simplify the process for the waste management industry. The ultimate objective is to improve waste management which will lead to better protection of the environment and human health."