The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000

Type Ni-Statutory-Rule
Publication 2000-07-14
Last updated 2025-06-17
State In force
Jurisdiction Northern Ireland
Department Government Printer for Northern Ireland
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Reform history JSON API

Made: 14th July 2000

Coming into operation in accordance with regulation 1(2) and (3)

The Department of the Environment, being a Department designated[^f00001] for the purposes of section 2(2) of the European Communities Act 1972[^f00002] in relation to measures relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations and measures relating to the prevention, reduction and elimination of pollution caused by waste, in exercise of the powers conferred on it by that section and of every other power enabling it in that behalf, hereby makes the following Regulations:

Citation and commencement

1

Interpretation

2

Prohibition

3

Prohibition on holding irrespective of registration

4

may be held until that other piece of equipment is taken out of use, recycled or disposed of; and shall then, where reasonably practicable, be removed and collected separately from that other equipment.

Labelling of contaminated equipment

5

Registration

6

Cancellation of registration or particulars

7

Appeals

8

Inventories of contaminated equipment

9

Information for inventories

10

Information for the public

11

Offences and penalties

12

is guilty of an offence.

is guilty of an offence.

Revocation

13

The Marketing and Use of Dangerous Substances Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994[^f00010] shall be revoked.

SCHEDULE 1 — Disposal operations D8, D9, D10, D12 and D15 as set out in Directive 2008/98/EC on waste, as amended

SCHEDULE 2 — Labelling of decontaminated equipment

Each item of decontaminated equipment must be clearly marked with an indelible and embossed or engraved sign which must include the following information—

Fluid containing PCBs was replaced - with (name of the substitute) - on(date) - by (undertaking). Concentration of PCBs in - old fluid % by weight - new fluid % by weight.

SCHEDULE 3 — Fees

Part I

Fees payable for the registration of equipment under regulation 6 and renewing a registration under regulation 10(1).

Number of Pieces of Equipment Fees
≤20 £155
21-50 £250
51-100 £475
>100 £475 + £50 per 50 above 100
Number of Pieces of Equipment Fees
--- ---
≤20 £155
>20 £250

Part II

The fee payable for an application under regulation 4(5) shall be £1,050.

Signed

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of the Environment on 14th July 2000.

Sam Foster — Minister of the Environment

Explanatory note

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)

These Regulations relate to Council Directive 96/59/EC (“the Directive”) on the disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated terphenyls (“PCBs”). They are for the purpose of implementing the provisions of the Directive which require decontamination or disposal of PCBs and equipment containing them and the associated provisions for inventories, labelling and monitoring. They are additional to the existing relevant requirements of the waste management licensing regime under the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997.

Subject to exceptions, in particular for businesses concerned with the decontamination and disposal of PCBs, regulation 3 prohibits the holding of certain equipment contaminated by PCBs (“contaminated equipment”) by anyone other than a person registered with the Department of the Environment (“the Department”) under these Regulations. The prohibition applies after 31st October 2000.

Subject to exceptions, in particular for businesses concerned with decontamination and disposal of PCBs, for transformers and for certain other equipment being replaced under major replacement programmes, regulation 4(1) prohibits the holding of PCBs and equipment (whether or not within the definition of “contaminated equipment” in regulation 2). This provision applies even though a person is registered with the Department, but only applies after 31st March 2001.

Contaminated equipment is to be labelled as such (regulation 5) and, when decontaminated, within specified limits, is to be re-labelled in the form set out in Schedule 2 to the Regulations (regulation 4(4)(d)).

Regulation 6 provides for the procedure for registration. Applicants for registration are required to specify, amongst other things, the date by which they expect to have decontaminated or disposed of the equipment concerned. Regulation 7 provides for cancellation of the registration and regulation 8 for appeals against the non-determination of an application for registration or the cancellation of a registration.

Registered holders are required to provide information to the Department on a regular basis (regulation 10).

Regulations 9, 10(3) and 11 set out the duties of the Department to monitor the information supplied, to prepare an inventory and to review it at regular intervals, to provide an annual statement of the number of registered holders and items of equipment of which particulars are registered, and in relation to public registers. The preparation of inventories by the Department is to facilitate the discharge of the obligation imposed by Article 4.1 of the Directive to send to the Commission a summary of the inventories of equipment with PCB volumes of more than 5dm³. The Department also obtains other relevant information through the system of consignment notes under the Special Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998.

Regulation 12 creates criminal offences.

Regulation 13 revokes the Marketing and Use of Dangerous Substances Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994. These are superseded, in particular, by regulation 4 of these Regulations.

Schedule 1 to the Regulations records the disposal operations D8 to D10, D12 and D15 set out in Annex IIA of Directive 75/442/EEC on waste, as replaced by Council Decision 96/350. These are the only permitted methods of disposal of PCBs and equipment contaminated by PCBs under the Directive.

Schedule 2 sets out the Directive’s requirements for the labelling of decontaminated equipment.

Schedule 3 sets out the fees for registering equipment under regulation 6 or renewing registration under regulation 10(1) and for an application for a direction from the Department to add specified equipment in accordance with regulation 4(5), (6) and (7).

Copies of Council Directives 96/59/EC and 75/442/EEC may be obtained from the Stationery Office, 16 Arthur Street, Belfast BT1 4GD.

Footnotes

[^f00001]: S.I. 1992/1711, 2870

[^f00002]: 1972 c. 68

[^f00003]: S.I. 1997/2778 (N.I. 19)

[^f00004]: O.J. No. L243, 24.9.96, p. 31

[^f00007]: 1954 c. 33 (N.I.)

[^f00008]: S.R. 1998 No. 289

[^f00009]: S.R. 1993 No. 45, amended by S.R. 1998 No. 238

[^f00010]: S.R. 1994 No. 222

Editorial notes

[^key-b66a2d25ab9011d25310755e6b8eb30f]: Reg. 1 in operation at 7.8.2000, see reg. 1(2)

[^key-c8690c929b19006610f0c875721dea86]: Reg. 2 in operation at 7.8.2000, see reg. 1(2)

[^key-198a234385bd8b3b6320fe1314228068]: Reg. 3 in operation at 7.8.2000, see reg. 1(2)

[^key-1b4658385fdbfa4d18a7eef41bf7713e]: Reg. 4 in operation at 7.8.2000, see reg. 1(2)

[^key-ade7e6c58381915498c55f575af408d0]: Reg. 5 in operation at 7.8.2000, see reg. 1(2)

[^key-c8d5c4cc69771bb732ca8fef5898d7ec]: Reg. 6 in operation at 7.8.2000, see reg. 1(2)

[^key-c864451a8d8a12e44876b8c6ab86615e]: Reg. 7 in operation at 7.8.2000, see reg. 1(2)

[^key-b816a953809ae16d6bac48ea6aff50dc]: Reg. 8 in operation at 7.8.2000, see reg. 1(2)

[^key-30cc3cab49e1b14ef37a208d083ee7e2]: Reg. 9 in operation at 7.8.2000, see reg. 1(2)

[^key-9ea3ec1028ea59f8139cbdef1bb9ad75]: Reg. 10 in operation at 7.8.2000, see reg. 1(2)

[^key-f4eac50aeed050fc40b9a8a7b3cf10fb]: Reg. 11 in operation at 7.8.2000, see reg. 1(2)

[^key-30143388f628c80f4f0c819645eaa1f4]: Reg. 12 in operation at 7.8.2000, see reg. 1(2)

[^key-d38d65983ec54f04fb69b3162ce32cff]: Sch. 1 in operation at 7.8.2000, see reg. 1(2)

[^key-9083bf3275221570cb39faa6a3640dd1]: Sch. 2 in operation at 7.8.2000, see reg. 1(2)

[^key-69587a887736c4d7b32a7dfffc02a3bf]: Sch. 3 Pt. I in operation at 7.8.2000, see reg. 1(2)

[^key-acc86d640602edd500300bed67b0b372]: Sch. 3 Pt. II in operation at 7.8.2000, see reg. 1(2)

[^key-317b7e56a5d355af33050917f9c2235b]: Reg. 13 in operation at 1.4.2001, see reg. 1(3)

[^key-8e35eb72f671867d8b672dd123277a28]: Words in reg. 2(1) substituted (8.4.2011) by The Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/127), regs. 1(1), 32(2)(a) (with reg. 9(2))

[^key-0fbf9af4fb5517871dedb3117e9e9508]: Words in reg. 2(1) substituted (8.4.2011) by The Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/127), regs. 1(1), 32(2)(b) (with reg. 9(2))

[^key-b4326291d5e2fa5d9e0cd7c5eeb2c153]: Words in reg. 2(1) inserted (17.1.2019) by The Air Quality (Amendment, etc.) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018 (S.R. 2018/215), regs. 1(1), 3

[^key-fec29827a6851cac9b0c873ece98549a]: Words in Sch. 1 heading substituted (18.12.2020) by virtue of The Waste (Circular Economy) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/285), regs. 1(1), 3(3)

[^key-535c86aca80267c8281759fec533ffb6]: Words in reg. 2(1) substituted (18.12.2020) by The Waste (Circular Economy) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 (S.R. 2020/285), regs. 1(1), 3(2)

[^key-4bd8e719c6c534fb9d2242d3f10520b5]: Reg. 2(2A) inserted (31.12.2020) by The Environmental Protection (Amendment) (Northern Ireland) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/289), reg. 1, Sch. 1 para. 2(2); 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)

[^key-8f179c6dcee55329674afff20589b24e]: Words in reg. 2(1) substituted (17.6.2025) by The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (S.R. 2025/111), regs. 1(1), 3(1)

[^key-a9d37043e10d8760e3f099c50902a387]: Words in reg. 2(1) substituted (17.6.2025) by The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (S.R. 2025/111), regs. 1(1), 3(2)

[^key-111b8db5095871e7567ca3da03b1f61d]: Words in reg. 4(1) substituted (17.6.2025) by The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (S.R. 2025/111), regs. 1(1), 4(1)

[^key-b8690feefb36a42b2aff09e47855ab1a]: Reg. 4(3)-(3C) substituted for reg. 4(3) (17.6.2025) by The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (S.R. 2025/111), regs. 1(1), 4(2)

[^key-96db344a925dc7c597c860414ddb68a5]: Words in reg. 4(4)(a) substituted (17.6.2025) by The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (S.R. 2025/111), regs. 1(1), 4(3)

[^key-95adc31516f7abfef9d5f330626434e0]: Words in reg. 4(8)(a) substituted (17.6.2025) by The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (S.R. 2025/111), regs. 1(1), 4(4)(i)

[^key-26664e9df78425f9fba904e30c206f32]: Word in reg. 4(8)(b) substituted (17.6.2025) by The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (S.R. 2025/111), regs. 1(1), 4(4)(ii)

[^key-f9be8735104a32960d8e56abb0dd607f]: Word in reg. 4(8)(c) substituted (17.6.2025) by The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (S.R. 2025/111), regs. 1(1), 4(4)(ii)

[^key-e97c9df12339c414ec1b495438ef04bd]: Reg. 4(9)(10) inserted (17.6.2025) by The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (S.R. 2025/111), regs. 1(1), 4(4)(iii)

[^key-e7a3d69f617ee26eedc58d080e4bca5c]: Reg. 5(3) substituted (17.6.2025) by The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (S.R. 2025/111), regs. 1(1), 5

[^key-3e79e15f89bab3b21cd4489c150e2475]: Reg. 6(2)(b) omitted (17.6.2025) by virtue of The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (S.R. 2025/111), regs. 1(1), 6

[^key-ec54f2a665529eba2a0da5610c210a1e]: Reg. 9(3)(3A) substituted for reg. 9(3) (17.6.2025) by The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (S.R. 2025/111), regs. 1(1), 7

[^key-6f825e8beaa5f800280339ebda5cfd6c]: Words in reg. 10(1) substituted (17.6.2025) by The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (S.R. 2025/111), regs. 1(1), 8(1)

[^key-a32d8af45607a28f0118252268aa9637]: Words in reg. 10(2) inserted (17.6.2025) by The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (S.R. 2025/111), regs. 1(1), 8(2)

[^key-576cb305eb2e612573403de6fd975a9e]: Reg. 12(2)(c)(ia) inserted (17.6.2025) by The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 (S.R. 2025/111), regs. 1(1), 9

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