The Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations set out rules to control the movement of waste into, out of, or through the UK. They also set out offences and penalties for non-compliance and appoint the competent authorities for shipments of waste.
The regulations apply throughout the UK, including the adjacent territorial sea (note we do not yet provide guidance to marine businesses).
What are the Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations?
The regulations prevent the import and export of waste, to and from the UK, that could damage human health or the environment.
The regulations set three levels of control for different types of waste: prohibited, green list and notification controls.
Prohibited controls
The movement of waste into, out of, or through the UK for disposal is banned with very few exceptions.
Notification controls
Notification controls apply to all imports and exports of:
- hazardous waste being moved for recovery
- any type of waste being moved for disposal
- some shipments of non-hazardous wastes to listed countries.
To ship these types of waste you need written permission from your environmental regulator and must comply with a range of other requirements.
Green list controls
Green list controls are the lowest level of control and apply to some imports or exports of non-hazardous waste for recovery.
You do not require your regulator’s written permission to ship this kind of waste, but:
- if you are sending the waste you must ensure that it is accompanied by your regulator’s form for green list wastes
- if you are receiving the waste, you must sign and keep a copy of this form for three years.
Who do the Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations affect?
The regulations apply to businesses that ship waste from the UK to another country or receive waste from overseas.
What do you have to do?
See our guidance on:
Who enforces the Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations?
The regulations are enforced by the UK environmental regulators: the Environment Agency in England and Wales, SEPA in Scotland, and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) in Northern Ireland.
The regulators have the power to take enforcement action against you if you transport or forward freight containing unauthorised waste, or if you are involved in any other way with the shipment of waste.
Enforcement action can be taken against anyone involved in the transporting of waste, not just the person who should have notified the regulators about the waste shipment.
Regulators also have the power to seize waste if there is an immediate risk to human health or the environment.
Further information
