- Enforced by
- Environment Agency, OEP, DEFRA, NRW
- Status
- Amended (in force with amendments)
- Penalty ceiling
- Imprisonment 1 of 24 obligations carry an unlimited fine. 1 carries different penalties and 22 have no criminal penalty — flagged in the list below.
Does it bind you?
Business-side roles with duties under this instrument.
Any Person6
Operator2
Director or Officer1
Plus 15 duties on the regulator, Crown ministers and public bodies — folded into the section list below.
Other Acts binding the same actors
If a role above is yours, these are the other instruments that most often bind it.
Any Person — also bound by 2340 other Acts
Human Medicines Regulations 2012
184 duties
Merchant Shipping Act 1995
144 duties
Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016
104 duties
Communications Act 2003
92 duties
Road Traffic Act 1988
92 duties
Operator — also bound by 746 other Acts
Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 (Air Operations)
203 duties
Space Industry Regulations 2021
76 duties
Director or Officer — also bound by 429 other Acts
Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016
162 duties
Companies Act 2006
126 duties
Insolvency Act 1986
77 duties
Building Societies Act 1986
32 duties
What it requires
Regulations creating concrete business duties or carrying penalties, grouped as the instrument is structured. Titles link to the source text — blue means you’re leaving for legislation.gov.uk.
Part 1
General
0 of 8 sections shown8 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.001
Citation, commencement and extent
s.003
Interpretation
s.modification of directive 2000/60/ec of the europe
Modification of Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council
s.modification of the industrial emissions directive
Modification of the Industrial Emissions Directive
s.modification of the landfill directive
Modification of the Landfill Directive
s.modification of the mining waste directive
Modification of the Mining Waste Directive
s.modification of the waste framework directive
Modification of the Waste Framework Directive
Part 2
Waste prevention programmes
2 of 3 sections shown
s.004
Establishment of waste prevention programmes (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Government must establish and evaluate waste prevention programmesCrown / Minister / Government department
s.006
Monitoring and evaluation of waste prevention programmes (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Government must set and publish waste prevention targetsCrown / Minister / Government department
1 other section in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.005
Purposes etc. of waste prevention programmes
Part 3
Waste management plans
2 of 2 sections shown
s.007
Requirement for waste management plans (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Government must maintain national waste management plansCrown / Minister / Government department
s.008
Content of waste management plans (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Government must ensure waste management plans cover all of England and WalesCrown / Minister / Government department
Part 4
Waste prevention programmes and waste management plans: general provision
1 of 3 sections shown
s.009
Directions to the Environment Agency (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State and Welsh Ministers may direct environmental bodiesCrown / Minister / Government department
2 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
Part 5
Duties in relation to waste management and improved use of waste as a resource
4 of 5 sections shown
s.012
Duty in relation to the waste hierarchy (opens in a new tab)
Prosecution
- Apply the waste hierarchy priority order to waste managementAny Person
Unlimited fine
s.013
Duties in relation to collection of waste (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
- Collect paper, metal, plastic, and glass separately for recyclingAny Person
s.014
Duty in relation to collected waste (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
- Keep separately collected waste separateAny Person
s.015
Guidance (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
- Follow official guidance when carrying out waste dutiesAny Person
1 other section in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.interpretation: wales
Interpretation: Wales
Part 6
Duties of planning authorities
2 of 5 sections shown
s.018
Exercise of planning functions (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Planning authorities must follow Waste Framework Directive standardsLocal authority
s.019
Inspections (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Planning authorities must conduct periodic inspections of waste sitesLocal authority
3 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
Part 7
Deposits in the sea
2 of 3 sections shown
s.022
Exercise of offshore licensing functions (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Authorities must follow waste hierarchy and plans for offshore licensingCrown / Minister / Government department
s.023
Inspections (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators must conduct periodic inspections of offshore waste sitesStatutory regulator
1 other section in this Part — procedural and definitional
Part 8
Registration of carriers, brokers and dealers
5 of 11 sections shown
s.025
Registration of brokers and dealers in controlled waste (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
- Register as a waste broker or dealerAny Person
s.028
The register (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Environment Agency and NRW must maintain a register of waste businessesStatutory regulator
s.029
Procedure for registration (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
- Register as a waste carrier, broker, or dealerOperator
s.030
Updating the register (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
- Update your waste carrier, broker, or dealer registration detailsOperator
s.034
Inspections (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators must conduct periodic inspections of waste carriers, brokers and dealersStatutory regulator
6 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
Part 9
Transfer of waste
1 of 1 section shown
s.035
Waste information (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
- Complete and retain waste transfer notes for controlled wasteAny Person
Part 10
Enforcement
2 of 10 sections shown
s.044
Offences by bodies corporate, partnerships and unincorporated associations (opens in a new tab)
Imprisonment
- Personal liability for directors and officers for waste offencesDirector or Officer
s.045
Proceedings for contravention of section 1 of the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989 (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Regulators must issue a notice before prosecuting for waste registration breachesStatutory regulator
8 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
Part 10
Authority to transport controlled waste
0 of 1 section shown1 other section in this Part — procedural and definitional
s.specified requirements under section 5 of the cont
Specified requirements under section 5 of the Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989
Part 11
Final provisions
2 of 4 sections shown
s.046
Registration: reduction of administrative burden (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Environment Agency must use existing data to simplify waste registrationsStatutory regulator
s.049
Review (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Secretary of State must review waste regulations every five yearsCrown / Minister / Government department
2 other sections in this Part — procedural and definitional
Schedules
Schedules
1 of 100 shown
s.001
Waste prevention programmes and waste management plans (opens in a new tab)
Regulated
Other duties (1) — Crown / regulator
- Government must create and maintain national waste management plansCrown / Minister / Government department
99 other schedules
s.003
Amendments to the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 (opens in a new tab)
s.sch001
Overall objective
s.sch001
Policies in relation to re-use
s.sch001
Preparing for re-use and recycling targets and landfill reduction targets
s.sch001
(1) This Part applies to a waste management plan that—...
s.sch001
Matters which may be included in a waste management plan
s.sch001
Interpretation
s.sch001
Public participation procedures
s.sch001
Procedures following public participation
s.sch001
The waste prevention measures referred to in regulation 5(c)(iii) are...
s.sch001
The economic instruments and other measures referred to in paragraph...
s.sch001
Application of the waste hierarchy
s.sch001
Protection of human health and the environment
s.sch001
Principles of self-sufficiency and proximity
s.sch001
Analysis of the current waste management situation etc.
s.sch001
General policies in relation to waste and litter
s.sch001
Policies in relation to packaging waste
s.sch001
Policies in relation to separate collection of waste
s.sch001
Policies in relation to bio-waste
s.sch002
The Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005 are amended...
s.sch002
In regulation 20(1)(a), omit “or a registered exemption”.
s.sch002
In regulation 35— (a) omit paragraphs (1)(c) and (4);
s.sch002
In regulation 36(1), for “38” substitute “ 39 ”.
s.sch002
Omit regulation 38.
s.sch002
In regulation 42— (a) in paragraph (1), for “regulations 43...
s.sch002
In regulation 43(1), omit “other than a case to which...
s.sch002
Omit regulation 44.
s.sch002
In regulation 47— (a) after paragraph (5)(b), omit “and”;
s.sch002
In regulation 48— (a) in paragraph (3)(c), for “Annex IIA...
s.sch002
In regulation 49— (a) in paragraph (1), for “consignor of...
s.sch002
For regulation 2, substitute— The Waste Directive and the meaning...
s.sch002
In regulation 50(3), after “entered”, insert “ chronologically ”.
s.sch002
In regulation 51(2)(a), omit— (a) “multiple consignment notes and”; and...
s.sch002
In regulations 52(1) and 55(3), for “Annex IIA or Annex...
s.sch002
Omit regulation 57.
s.sch002
In regulation 60— (a) in paragraph (1), for “Article 5”,...
s.sch002
In regulation 65(c), for “44” substitute “ 43 ”.
s.sch002
In the table in regulation 65A(1), for “44” substitute “...
s.sch002
In regulation 69(1)(e), for “44” substitute “ 43 ”.
s.sch002
Omit Schedules 1, 2 and 6.
s.sch002
For Schedule 3, substitute the Schedule set out in Part...
s.sch002
For regulation 3, substitute— Annex III to the Waste Directive...
s.sch002
For Schedule 4, substitute the Schedule set out in Part...
s.sch002
In paragraph 4(3)(a) of Schedule 7, for “43 or 44”...
s.sch002
In paragraph 7 of Schedule 7— (a) in paragraph (1),...
s.sch002
In Schedule 11, omit paragraphs 3 to 6 and 9...
s.sch002
In regulation 4(1), in the definition of “the List of...
s.sch002
In regulation 5— (a) in paragraph (1)—
s.sch002
In regulation 8(1), for “Annexes I, II and III”, substitute...
s.sch002
In regulation 9— (a) in paragraph (1)—
s.sch002
In regulation 18— (a) after the words “it has been”,...
s.sch002
In regulation 19— (a) in paragraph (1), for “(2) and...
s.sch003
The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010 are amended...
s.sch003
In Schedule 10, for paragraph 5(1)(d), substitute—
s.sch003
In paragraph 2 of Schedule 11, in each definition of...
s.sch003
In paragraph 2(2)(c) of Schedule 12, for “Article 1(1)(a)”, substitute...
s.sch003
In paragraph 2 of Schedule 21, in paragraph (a) of...
s.sch003
In Part 1 of Schedule 25— (a) omit the definitions...
s.sch003
Omit Part 2 of Schedule 25.
s.sch003
In regulation 2— (a) in paragraph (1), for the definition...
s.sch003
In regulation 3, for the definition of “the Waste Framework...
s.sch003
(1) Regulation 72 is renumbered as paragraph (1) of that...
s.sch003
In Part 2 of Schedule 1— (a) in paragraph 1...
s.sch003
In Schedule 2— (a) omit paragraph 2(3);
s.sch003
In Section 2 of Chapter 2 of Part 1 of...
s.sch003
In section 2 of Chapter 3 of Part 1 of...
s.sch003
In Schedule 9— (a) for paragraph 4 substitute— Exercise of...
s.sch004
The Control of Pollution (Amendment) Act 1989
s.sch004
The Environment Act 1995 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 1996
s.sch004
The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment)
(England and Wales) Regulations 1999
s.sch004
The Town and Country Planning (Development Plan) (England) Regulations 1999
s.sch004
The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances)
(England and Wales) Regulations 2000
s.sch004
The Town and Country Planning (London Spatial Development Strategy) Regulations 2000
s.sch004
The Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 2003
s.sch004
The End-of-Life Vehicles Regulations 2003
s.sch004
The Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004
s.sch004
The Landfill Allowances and Trading Scheme (England) Regulations 2004
s.sch004
The End-of-Life Vehicles (Producer Responsibility) Regulations 2005
s.sch004
The Town and Country Planning Act 1990
s.sch004
The List of Wastes (England) Regulations 2005
s.sch004
The Waste Management (England and Wales) Regulations 2006
s.sch004
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006
s.sch004
The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007
s.sch004
The Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 2007
s.sch004
The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2007
s.sch004
The Town and Country Planning (Mayor of London) Order 2008
s.sch004
The Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations 2008
s.sch004
The Environmental Damage (Prevention and Remediation) Regulations 2009
s.sch004
The Renewables Obligation Order 2009
s.sch004
The Environmental Protection Act 1990
s.sch004
The Waste Batteries and Accumulators Regulations 2009
s.sch004
The Infrastructure Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2009
s.sch004
The Environment Act 1995
s.sch004
The Greater London Authority Act 1999
s.sch004
The Waste and Emissions Trading Act 2003
s.sch004
The Government of Wales Act 2006
s.sch004
The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes) Order 1987
s.sch004
The Controlled Waste (Registration of Carriers and Seizure of Vehicles) Regulations 1991
3 other provisions
s.para.108
SCHEDULE 3 Annex III to the Waste Directive Regulation 3 Properties...
s.para.109
SCHEDULE 4 Regulation 35(2)
s.para.156
The following instruments are revoked to the extent specified. Regulations...
Help complying
Guvnor’s practical routes through this instrument.
Starting a waste business
Complete compliance guide for waste transfer stations, treatment facilities, skip hire, and recycling centres. Covers environmental permits, waste carrier registration, and ongoing …
Meet environmental compliance requirements
Navigate your environmental obligations including waste duty of care, pollution prevention, packaging responsibilities, and energy reporting
Do I need an environmental permit?
Quick assessment of whether your business activities require an environmental permit from the Environment Agency or local council.
Your waste was fly-tipped - what now?
What to do when waste linked to your business is found illegally dumped. Understand your liability, gather your records, cooperate with the …
Waste compliance quick check
Quick checklist for business owners to verify they meet basic waste duty of care obligations under EPA 1990 Section 34.
Environmental compliance for new businesses
A complete introduction to environmental obligations for new business owners. Learn whether you need an environmental permit, how to handle waste legally, …
13 more guides that reference this instrument
Business licences by activity type
Business waste management
Dispose of hazardous waste
Food waste management
Meet your business waste duty of care
Meet your waste management regulatory duties
Registering as a waste carrier
Simpler Recycling for businesses in England
Commercial waste management for hospitality businesses
Environmental compliance for construction sites
Holiday let food hygiene, employment and insurance
Register a waste exemption
Start a construction business
Duty extraction and severity labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the instrument, not the instrument itself. Always verify against the linked source text.