Waste Exemption Paragraph 50

Under the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997 and the Waste Management Licensing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003, all activities involving the treatment, keeping or disposal of waste must be authorised by NIEA. Some activities are exempt from licensing if they meet the requirements of Regulation 17 of the Waste Management Licensing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003. If you want to operate under the terms of these exemptions you must register with NIEA. Schedule 2, Part 1, Paragraph 50 of the Waste Management Licensing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 allows the secure storage of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) for the purpose of its recovery elsewhere. The exemption also allows for the incidental sorting of WEEE.

Before you apply

• There is a fee.
• You will need a credit or debit card.

You'll need to provide copies of the following:

• Proof of occupancy / entitlement.
• Plan or map.
• Pollution risk assessment.

You may also need to provide consents of the following:

• Landowner / Landlord.
• Occupant.
• Partnership.

Guidance

Waste stream(s) permitted

Waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) specified in Tables 11C and 11D of Schedule 2, Part 1 of the Waste Management Licensing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003(as amended) as follows:

• EWC 16 02 14, (WEEE other than those mentioned in EWC 16 02 09 to 16 02 12)
• EWC 20 01 36, (WEEE other than those mentioned in EWC 20 01 21, 20 01 23 and 20 01 35)
• EWC 16 02 11 (WEEE containing chloroflurocarbons, HCFC or HFC)
• EWC 20 01 23 (WEEE containing chloroflurocarbons)
• EWC 16 02 13 (WEEE containing hazardous components other than those mentioned in 16 02 09 to 16 02 12)
• EWC 20 01 35 (WEEE other than those mentioned in 20 01 21 and 20 01 23 containing hazardous components)
• EWC 20 01 21 (fluorescent tubes and other mercury-containing waste)

Annex 1B of the WEEE Directive provides a list of products which fall under each category. The list is not exhaustive but shows examples of the type of products included in the broader categories.

Quantity

For waste other than fluorescent tubes and other mercury containing lamps the maximum quantity that can be stored is 80 cubic metres.

For fluorescent tubes and other mercury containing lamps the maximum quantity that can be stored is 50 cubic metres.

Storage and location

Waste may be stored for a maximum period of 3 months.

Waste other than fluorescent tubes and other mercury containing lamps must be stored on an impermeable surface and have weatherproof covering.

Fluorescent tubes and other mercury containing waste must be stored in appropriate secure containers with weatherproof covering, and in such a way that the glass is not broken.

WEEE must be stored in such a manner that its environmentally sound reuse or recycling is not hindered.

Waste containing chlorofluorocarbons must be stored in a manner that will prevent the release of the CFC, HCFC and HFC. The number of units in any stack (e.g. fridges and freezers) must not exceed 2 and the overall height of any stack shall not exceed 3.5m.

Additional conditions

WEEE must be stored for the purposes of recovery elsewhere.

All WEEE other than flourescent tubes and other mercury containing lamps must be stored on an impermeable pavement2 with a weatherproof covering. The impermeable surface must direct all liquid to run off to a drainage system with impermeable components, which does not leak, and where all liquids entering the drainage system are stored in a sealed sump.

Interpretation

1. “waste electrical and electronic equipment” or “WEEE” means electrical or electronic equipment which is waste within the meaning of Article 1(a) of Directive 75/442/EEC, including all components, subassemblies and consumables which are part of the product at the time of discarding.
2. “impermeable pavement” means a pavement in the area where a waste recovery or storage operation takes place and which is capable of containing any spillage of waste received and is connected to a drainage system with impermeable components, which does not leak and which will ensure that:
   • no liquid will run off the pavement otherwise than via the drainage system; and
   • except where they may be lawfully discharged, all liquids entering the drainage system are collected in a sealed sump

Additional information

For further information Paragraph 50, please click on the link below