Regulatory Decision 086: Unpacking and storing unused personal protective equipment (PPE)

This Regulatory Decision (RD) is valid until 31 August 2023 by which time it will be reviewed. You should check back at that time to ensure the RD is still valid.

NRW can withdraw or amend this RD before the review date if we consider it necessary. This includes where the activities that this RD relates to have not changed.

Regulatory Decision

This RD applies to the acceptance, storage, manual de-packaging and dismantling of unused waste personal protective equipment (PPE) from the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

If you can follow the conditions in this RD, you can:

• Accept unused non-hazardous waste personal protective equipment (List of Waste code 15 02 03), for storage, manual de-packaging, and dismantling.
• Further treat this material at that location provided a permit or exemption is in place that allows that activity to be carried out.

Normally, you will commit an offence if you accept waste at a site that requires a waste permit but that does not have one. If your activity meets this description, however, Natural Resources Wales will not normally take enforcement action if you comply with the conditions in this RD.

Conditions you must comply with 

To comply with this RD,

• your activity must meet the description set out in this RD
• only receive waste from DHSC bearing the correct LOW code and description including Duty of Care Waste Transfer Notes detailing all unused waste PPE accepted at your site.
  
  This should record the:
  - date of arrival
  - type of waste, including the LoW code 15 02 03
  - quantity received

If you cannot comply with the conditions in this RD, you need to apply for an environmental permit.

This RD does not change your legal obligations under any relevant legislation.

Enforcement

This RD does not change your legal requirement to have an environmental permit for a waste operation when unpacking and storing unused personal protective equipment.

However, NRW will not normally take enforcement action if you do not comply with the need for an environmental permit if you meet the requirements in this RD.

In addition, your activity must not cause (or be likely to cause) pollution of the environment or harm to human health, and 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