From 1 April 2016, premises in England will no longer need to register as hazardous waste producers with the Environment Agency (EA) and the format of the unique consignment note code will also change.

Premises Registration – How will it affect you?

• If you produce or store 500kg or more of hazardous waste per year you will no longer need to register your premises with the Environment Agency from 1st April 2016.
• You must continue to have a valid registration up until 1st April 2016.
• The change in consignment note code affects all businesses that produce, handle, or manage hazardous waste, not just those producing 500kg or more.
• These changes only apply to England. It does not affect premises in Wales who should continue to register with Natural Resources Wales.
• The requirement for the SIC code on the consignment note will change.  Currently either the SIC 2003, SIC 2007 or NACE is accepted on the consignment note. The change in the Hazardous Waste Regulations from 1st April 2016, specifies SIC 2007 should be used, which matches the requirements for waste transfer notes (for non-hazardous waste). There is currently a Regulatory Position which allows different SIC publications and the use of NACE codes; the agency will be continuing to allow the use of NACE.

How will the new consignment note numbers work?

A completed consignment note must accompany hazardous waste when moved from any premises.

On 1st April 2016, the consignment note and the way you fill it in will change.

• To accommodate the removal of premises registration, the format of the consignment note code will change on 1st April 2016 regardless of the amount of hazardous waste you produce, store or handle.
• From 1st April 2016, if waste is produced in England, you will need to amend the first six characters of your consignment note code (currently the premises registration number), replacing them with the first six letters or numbers (not symbols) of the business name. The producer should ensure consistent use of the organisation name in this regard.
• ‘EXEMPT’ will no longer be permitted to be used.
• The second set of characters will continue to be five numbers or letters. This may, in a few specified occasions, be followed by an additional letter.
• Please check the correct format is being used for your consignment note number. Legally you are still required to use the current format on consignment notes up until 1st April 2016.
• Make sure you do not pre-print more consignment notes using the old format, than you will use by the end of 31st March 2016.
• If you are receiving waste from Wales into England, you should not change the consignment note code. Welsh producers will still be required to register their premises with Natural Resources Wales and use this in their consignment note number.
• If the waste is moved from England into Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland from 1st April 2016 the consignment note code will need to use the new format.