Guidance

Waste classification technical guidance

Technical guidance on how to assess and classify waste.

• From: Environment Agency
• Published: 1 April 2014
• Last updated: 28 September 2021
  Show all updates

  1. 28 September 2021

     An update to Appendix B to reflect the need to consider a specific form / physical state of a substance if it is included under the CLP Regulations as an entry in the Mandatory Classification List (MCL).

  2. 1 January 2021

     “The guidance document has been updated to reflect changes to chemicals legislation as a consequence of EU Exit “

  3. 26 June 2018

     Updated Waste classification technical guidance. Appendix C revised to reflect requirements of Council Regulation 2017/997.

  4. 21 July 2015

     Technical guidance WM3 applies in England from 1st July 2015. Technical guidance WM2 has been removed from this page as it is no longer relevant.

  5. 16 June 2015

     Technical guidance WM2 applies in England until the 30 June 2015. On 1 July the technical guidance WM3 replaces it, and WM2 will be archived.

  6. 14 May 2015

     New WM3 added

  7. 19 November 2014

     Link to consultation on new draft guidance (WM3) added.

  8. 1 April 2014

     First published.

Documents

Technical Guidance WM3: Waste Classification - Guidance on the classification and assessment of waste

Ref: LIT 10121

PDF, 5.2 MB, 180 pages

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Details

This document provides technical guidance on waste classification. It is a comprehensive reference manual for anyone involved in producing, managing and regulating waste. You need to be competent in hazardous waste and have some knowledge of chemistry to fully use all aspects of this guidance.

Appendix A includes the waste classification codes, also referred to as LoW (List of Waste) or EWC (European Waste Catalogue) codes for hazardous and non hazardous waste.

This document does not provide guidance on the packaging and labelling of waste for transport.

There is also shorter summary guidance about how to classify common types of waste.