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Registration of Carriers

Guidance Note

Upper Tier Waste Carrier Licence – Early Termination Guidance

A Waste Carrier Licence may need to be closed prior to its expiry date under certain circumstances. It is the responsibility of the licence holder to notify the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and apply for early termination where applicable. This ensures NIEA records and online registers remain accurate and up to date. Below are examples of scenarios where early termination may be required:

Reasons for Mid-Term Licence Closure
  • Change in Company Structure
    If a business undergoes a legal structural change, such as transitioning from a sole trader to a limited company, a new licence must be obtained. The existing licence should be closed before submitting a new application online.
  • Bereavement /Change in Personal Circumstances
    In the event of the licence holder’s death or being incapacitated, the licence can be closed online by an authorised representative.
  • Company Takeover or Merger
    Where a business is acquired or merges with another business, the existing licence may be surrendered and the waste activities incorporated into the acquiring company’s registration.
  • Reduction in Waste Carrying Activities
    If a business no longer meets the threshold for an upper-tier licence, such as only transporting small amounts of its own waste generated on premises it owns, it may qualify for a lower-tier registration or exemption. In such cases, the upper-tier licence should be closed.
Step by Step Instructions to Cancel your Waste Carrier Licence
  • 1. Click on the following link -Registration of Carrier Guidance | Apply for Authorisation | Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs, Northern Ireland
  • 2. Select the green button towards the bottom of the page that says ‘Start Cancellation Process’
  • 3. You will then be prompted to log into an app ‘NI Direct’ or ‘Government Gateway’ before you will be able to cancel your licence. You need to log into this before you can cancel your licence. **Important - If you get an error message ‘MMPID’ while trying to log into Government Gateway please let us know and we can investigate this for you. **
  • 4. Once you have accessed Government Gateway you will then need to enter your ROC Licence number as well as your ROC Application Reference number (ROCXXXXXXXXX). Both these numbers would be listed on the email you received when your licence was issued and are essential if you wish to close your licence.
  • 5. When then logged in you can then cancel your registration, and you will receive an automated reply confirming the licence has been closed. This will then in turn update the online public register to reflect that you/your business are no longer covered.
Frequently asked Questions

What happens when I Cancel my licence?

When you log into the online platform and cancel your licence you will receive an automated reply confirming the licence has been cancelled. This will then in turn update the online public register to reflect that you/your business are no longer covered.

What is a ROC Application Number?

This is a nine-digit number that is issued to customers when their ROC licence is issued. This number will also be on shown on both the 2-month and 6-month reminders. This number will be required when customers want to renew, modify or cancel their licence. Example of this number will be ROCXXXXXXXXX.

What is a ROC Licence Number?

A licence number if Upper Tier will start ROC UT XXXX or if Lower Tier it would be ROC LT XXXX

How long does registration last?

An Upper Tier registration lasts for three years unless you decide to cancel it early or NIEA revokes it. A Lower Tier registration lasts indefinitely unless you cancel it early or NIEA revokes it.

Application fees

You must pay a fee when you apply to register or renew a registration as an upper tier carrier, broker, carrier/broker or carrier/dealer. NIEA will not refund your fee if we refuse your application or, if having been registered, you decide to cancel it early or we revoke it.

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