The Environment Agency published guidance on Social distancing when signing and handing over waste transfer and consignment notes in person: RPS C8.
If you use paper waste transfer notes (including season tickets) and consignment notes when you transfer waste, you normally sign and hand over paper copies in person. You must do this to comply with the regulations.
If you follow the conditions in this COVID-19 regulatory position statement (RPS), you do not have to sign and hand over paper copies of waste transfer and consignment notes in person.
If you use an electronic system for completing waste transfer and consignment notes, you can continue to use this as normal.
When this COVID-19 RPS applies
This COVID-19 RPS only applies when you use paper copies of waste transfer notes and consignment notes. The means when you:
- hand over waste to others
- receive waste from others
If you follow the conditions in this COVID-19 RPS, you do not have to sign or hand over paper copies of waste transfer and consignment notes in person at the same time.
These are the only two activities that this COVID-19 RPS applies to. You must meet all your other waste transfer requirements.
This COVID-19 RPS does not apply to any other activity, even if it is under the same legislation. You may still need other permits, licences and registrations for other activities you carry out.
Conditions you must comply with
When you transfer your waste, for each waste transfer and consignment note, you must meet these conditions.
The conditions apply to every waste transfer, from the waste producer through to its final holder.
Condition 1
You must make sure the appropriate person fills in the relevant sections of the waste transfer note or consignment note for each waste transfer. You do not need to sign, or get a signature, in the signature box.
Instead of a signature the responsible person should provide their full name, date of birth and contact number.
Condition 2
If you are transferring or receiving waste, you do not need to physically hand over (or receive) the waste transfer or consignment note. But you must give (or receive) all the information and data normally provided in a note. This must be done before the waste transfer or at the time of the transfer – but not later.
Condition 3
For each waste transfer you must send or receive (as appropriate) the completed paper copy (without the signature) of the waste transfer or consignment note. You must do this as soon as possible and not later than 10 calendar days after the waste transfer has taken place.
You must keep a record of any waste you transfer or receive during the period of time you use this COVID-19 RPS. These records must include all the information and data required by the waste transfer note and consignment note.
You must keep records of:
- waste transfer notes for 24 months from the date of the transfer of the waste
- consignment notes for 36 months from the date of the transfer of the waste
You must make them available to the Environment Agency on request.
You must comply with all the other requirements for transferring or consigning waste.
This includes complying with the waste duty of care.
You must make sure your activities do not endanger human health or the environment.
You must not:
- cause a risk to water, air, soil, plants or animals
- cause a nuisance through noise or odours
- adversely affect the countryside or places of special interest
Enforcement
A COVID-19 RPS means that the Environment Agency will not normally take enforcement action against you provided:
- your activity meets the description set out in this COVID-19 RPS
- you comply with the conditions set out in this COVID-19 RPS
- your activity does not, and is not likely to, cause environmental pollution or harm human health
If you operate under this COVID-19 RPS, but think you may no longer be able to comply with its conditions, you must tell the Environment Agency immediately.
The Environment Agency will monitor how operators use and comply with this COVID-19 RPS through its proportionate, risk-based inspection and monitoring activity.
When to check back
This COVID-19 RPS will be withdrawn on 30 June 2020 unless we extend it.
After this date, you must sign and hand over waste transfer notes and consignment notes in person. Or you must stop transferring waste.
Email the Environment Agency at enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk.
Source: www.gov.uk
