Hazardous Waste Consignment Note: A Complete Guide
A hazardous waste consignment note is a legal document that tracks hazardous waste from the place it is produced to the facility where it is treated or disposed of. It ensures a clear record of how hazardous materials are handled and confirms they are transferred in line with UK environmental regulations.
Any business that produces hazardous waste must use a consignment note whenever that waste leaves its premises. The document forms part of the waste duty of care, which requires organisations to manage waste safely and responsibly.
Across the UK, the rules are broadly similar but regulated by different authorities:
- England: Regulated by the Environment Agency under the Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005
- Wales: Regulated by Natural Resources Wales
- Scotland: Hazardous waste is known as special waste and is governed by the Special Waste Regulations, overseen by SEPA
Consignment notes are typically completed by the waste producer, the licensed waste carrier, and the receiving treatment facility. They create a full audit trail showing where hazardous waste originated and where it was taken.
Failing to use the correct documentation can lead to investigations, fines, or prosecution, as regulators must be able to trace hazardous waste movements.
Who needs a hazardous waste consignment note?
Any business that produces and transfers hazardous waste must use a hazardous waste consignment note.
This applies whenever hazardous materials are moved from a business premises to another location for treatment, recycling, or disposal. The note ensures the waste can be traced throughout the entire process.
Businesses that commonly produce hazardous waste include:
- Garages and automotive workshops: Oils, solvents, contaminated materials
- Construction companies: Asbestos, treated timber, chemicals
- Hospitals and clinics: Clinical or pharmaceutical waste
- Manufacturers and laboratories: Chemicals and hazardous by-products
- Offices and commercial premises: Fluorescent tubes, batteries, electronic waste
Consignment notes are also required when hazardous waste moves between company sites, such as from a branch to a central waste storage or treatment facility.
Households are generally exempt. Domestic hazardous waste is normally managed through local authority collection and disposal services.
How long should you keep a hazardous waste consignment note?
Businesses must keep hazardous waste consignment notes for at least three years from the date the waste was transferred.
Both the waste producer and the waste carrier must retain copies. Records can be stored either:
- Physically (paper documentation)
- Digitally (secure electronic records)
Regulators such as the Environment Agency, SEPA, or Natural Resources Wales may request to see these documents during inspections.
Failing to keep accurate records can result in compliance investigations, enforcement action, or financial penalties.
How to fill in a hazardous waste consignment note
Completing a hazardous waste consignment note correctly ensures the waste is transported and treated safely.
The document is typically completed in stages by the waste producer, waste carrier, and receiving facility.
Key details that must be included:
- Waste producer information: Business name, address, and contact details
- Description of the hazardous waste: Including the correct European Waste Catalogue (EWC) code
- Quantity of waste: Weight, volume, or container count
- Container type: Drums, bins, tanks, or sealed containers
- Waste carrier details: Including registration number
- Destination facility details: Where the waste will be treated or disposed of
- Transfer date and signatures: Confirming the waste has changed custody
Before signing the note, businesses should check that:
- The waste description is accurate
- The carrier is a licensed waste carrier
- The receiving facility is authorised to handle the waste type
Examples of hazardous waste
Many businesses generate hazardous waste as part of everyday operations, sometimes without realising it.
Examples of hazardous waste include:
- Waste oils and lubricants from automotive workshops
- Paints, solvents, and chemicals used in manufacturing or maintenance
- Clinical waste from healthcare settings
- Batteries and electrical equipment containing hazardous components
- Fluorescent tubes and lighting equipment
- Asbestos-containing materials
- Contaminated packaging or absorbents
- Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)
If hazardous materials are not handled correctly, they can pose risks to people, property, and the environment. Businesses should ensure they understand their waste streams and store hazardous materials safely until collection.
If you are unsure whether your organisation produces hazardous waste or requires a consignment note, contact our team on 0800 211 8390 or get in touch online for guidance.
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