Waste exemptions for WEEE
You may need to register an exemption with your environmental regulator from waste management licensing if you carry out an exempt waste management activity.
Some exemptions do not need to be registered although you must comply with the exemption's conditions.
Activities exempt from waste management licensing
Exempt waste operations and exempt waste management activities which may apply to machinery or electrical and electronic equipment businesses include:
| Exempt waste operation or activity | Northern Ireland | Scotland |
|---|---|---|
| Storing any waste (non-hazardous or hazardous/special) temporarily on the site where it is produced in a secure place for no longer than 12 months. For example, waste oil or off-cuts | Paragraph 41 There are quantity limits for storing hazardous waste. No need to register. |
Paragraph 41 There are quantity limits for storing special waste. No need to register. |
| Treating waste on the site where it is produced as long as you don't change the chemical or biological nature of the waste. For example baling, compacting or shredding waste | Paragraph 27 No need to register. |
Paragraph 27 No need to register. |
| Heating metals and metal alloys to remove grease, oil or any other non-metal contaminant using a furnace with a total rated thermal input of less than 0.2 megawatts | Paragraph 44 Must be registered. |
Paragraph 44 Must be registered. |
| Repair or refurbishment of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) | Paragraph 49 Must be registered. |
Paragraph 47 Must be registered. |
| Recovering scrap metal | Paragraph 45 Must be registered. |
Paragraph 45 Must be registered. |
| The secure storage of WEEE | Paragraph 50 | Paragraph 48 |
You must check whether your registered exemption needs to be renewed. Some registered exemptions last for as long as the activity is carried out while others may only last for 12 months.
If you are not sure whether your waste operation or waste management activity is covered by an exemption, or how long an exemption will last, you should contact your environmental regulator for further advice.
Contact your environmental regulator
Further information on waste exemptions
Activities exempt from waste management licensing
Your environmental regulator provides more details about exemptions for MEEE waste.
NIEA: Activities exempt from waste management licensing
SEPA: Activities exempt from waste management licensing