Waste Management Licensing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 SR 493

The Waste Management Licensing Regulations (Northern Ireland) transfer responsibility for waste management licensing from local councils to the Department of the Environment. They also set out how to apply for a waste management licence and identify activities that are exempt or do not require a licence.

The regulations apply in Northern Ireland only.

What are the Waste Management Licensing (Northern Ireland) Regulations?

The regulations make it an offence to keep, recycle, crush, bale, compost, dismantle, dispose of or recover waste materials without an appropriate permit, waste management licence or registered exemption.

They outline what is covered by waste management licensing, the conditions for licensed activities and how sites are monitored to ensure that businesses comply with the conditions.

Some activities are exempt from licensing if they meet requirements in regulation 17.

Who do Waste Management Licensing (Northern Ireland) Regulations affect?

The regulations affect all businesses that deal with waste on their sites, including keeping, recycling, crushing, baling, composting or dismantling waste materials.

What do you have to do?

See our guidance on:

How are the Waste Management Licensing (Northern Ireland) enforced?

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) enforces the regulations by issuing licences, setting conditions on licensed activities and monitoring sites to ensure compliance with licence conditions.

If you carry out an exempt activity without registering with the NIEA you could receive a fine of up to £500. If you arrange the disposal or recovery of controlled waste on behalf of another person without being a registered broker of controlled waste you could be fined up to £5,000.