Environmental Protection Act

The Environmental Protection Act 1990, a UK act of parliament relating to controlled wastes is the successor to the Control of Pollution Act 1974 and makes provision for the management of pollution from industrial processes. The Act deals with issues relating to waste on land, defining all aspects of waste management and places a duty on local authorities to collect waste. As a business, you have a duty to ensure that any waste your company produces is handled safely and within the law. This is your ‘duty of care’ and it applies to anyone who produces, imports, transports, stores, treats or disposes of controlled waste from business or industry.

The Duty of Care Regulations 1991 place a responsibility over these individuals to:

• Ensure that all waste materials are packaged and stored securely to prevent pollutants escaping into the environment.
• Produce a waste transfer note that provides an accurate written description enabling anyone receiving it to dispose of the waste or handle it safely and appropriately.