Many contractors in the UK electrical sector are in danger of being prosecuted under the new European hazardous waste regulations.

The European Hazardous Waste Regulations, which came into force on 16 July, could result in fines for companies who are not up to speed with the new laws. This is the stark warning from Biffa, the UK’s largest waste management company.

The new regulations classify an increasing amount of waste as hazardous, meaning that electrical contractors could find themselves in the position of being hazardous waste producers. Products including fluorescent tubes, cathode ray tubes, computer screens and other electrical equipment are now hazardous waste. This is in addition to existing hazardous products such as oils, batteries, solvents, paints and aerosols.

Companies that produce over 200 kg of this type of waste each year must now register with the Environment Agency and demonstrate that they are disposing of it properly. Failure to comply with the regulations will mean that firms will not be able to remove the waste and could be fined up to £5000. Managers could be imprisoned.

Biffa’s recovery and treatment manager, Mick Ashall, says: “The regulations place major emphasis on the electrical sector to segregate, handle and store hazardous wastes and reduce the amounts being sent to landfill.

“The problem is that many managers just don’t know whether the waste they are generating will be classified as hazardous. They could face a rude awakening when they suddenly find themselves responsible for hazardous waste materials in quantities that might range from tonnes to as little as hundreds of kilos.”

Help for contractors does exist through approved compliance schemes that can register sites with the Environment Agency. For more information call Biffa on 0800 307307.

Source

Electrical and Mechanical Contractor

Postscript

The government has postponed the implementation of the WEEE Directive until June 2006 in the light of the time needed for companies to prepare for the new legislation.