hazardous waste regulations

From 16th July 2005, The Hazardous Waste Regulations and The Hazardous Waste (Northern Ireland) Regulations 2005 replaced The Special Waste Regulations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Special Waste (Amendment) Regulations 2004 had previously amended the Special Waste 1996 Regulations in Scotland. Certain clinical, medicinal & dental wastes are affected by the new Regulations. The responsibility for determining if waste is special/hazardous rests with the producer, although Cannon can assist & advise.

The current position regarding these wastes is:

soft/hard clinical waste, sharps and pharmi-sharps

This waste may be classed as hazardous (or special in Scotland) due to its infectious nature. The Department of Health have produced important new guidance in 'Safe Management of Healthcare Waste' (DoH 2006), which can be downloaded here (2.14MB).

An important aspect of this Guidance is whether clinical waste is from a healthcare or non-healthcare activity and how that affects whether it needs to be consigned as hazardous or special (Scotland) waste.

The Environment Agency, SEPA and EHS(NI) ('The Agencies') have jointly produced Guidance in 'Interpretation of the Definition & Classification of Hazardous Waste' ( 'WM2' ) on determining if your waste is hazardous or special (Scotland). This was revised in November 2005. The relevant section of this can be downloaded here.

Cannon Hygiene have also produced interpretation of these documents as they relate to our Customers in the form of a flowchart and associated guidance notes. They can be downloaded on the associated pages for England & Wales or Northern Ireland & Scotland to which links are provided below.

The British Dental Association has also produced guidance which can be downloaded here or forwarded on request by email or post.

Feminine hygiene, nappy & incontinence wastes are not classed as hazardous or special (Scotland) waste.

other dental and x-ray waste

Amalgam / spent capsules, x-ray developer & fixer remain hazardous under the New Regulations. The British Dental Association has also produced guidance which can be downloaded here or forwarded on request by email or post.

medicines

Although previously prescription only medicines were always special waste, only cytotoxic & cytostatic medicines are hazardous or special (Scotland) under the new Regulations. Although cytotoxic medicines are well recognised, cytostatic medicines are not defined in UK legislation. The Agencies in November 2005 revised their guidance regarding the definition of medicines as cytotoxic and cytostatic, which can be downloaded here, and guidance is also available in The Department of Health 'Safe Management of Healthcare Waste' (DoH 2006), which can be downloaded here (2.14MB).

If you produce hazardous or special waste:

England and Wales

Scotland and Northern Ireland