On 16 July, new Hazardous Waste Regulations came into force in England and Wales that have a far-reaching effect on waste producers.

The new regulations require all producers of hazardous waste to have registered with the Environment Agency (EA) by 16 July, although some exceptions apply for a small number of categories of businesses that produce less than 200kg of hazardous waste annually. The regulations also bring the definition of hazardous waste in line with the EC Hazardous Waste Directive, adding a further 200 new waste types to the hazardous waste list. This means that many more companies will now be classified as hazardous waste producers, although they may not yet be aware of this. Items such as computer monitors, fluorescent tubes, fridges and some batteries all now classify as hazardous wastes.

In 2003, more than 100,000 businesses produced what was then classified as special waste. Under the new regulations, waste company Onyx estimates that this could increase to 400,000. Industry reports indicate that 30,000 premises have registered with the EA to date.

The new Hazardous Waste Regulations involve many complexities for existing and new hazardous waste producers, including the prohibition of mixing hazardous waste at a producing site. For example, disposal of oily rags or fluorescent tubes with ordinary dry wastes is illegal. In addition, there will be much more for hazardous waste producers to keep track of, including new consignment notes that must be prepared when disposing of hazardous waste, and maintaining registers of hazardous waste arisings.

Onyx Chief Executive, Cyrille du Peloux, comments on the preparation and measures which hazardous waste producers must undertake: "Onyx is working with clients to ensure compliance, and help them understand what the new legislation means to them. The new regulations require that companies be much more precise in how they deal with hazardous waste, with increased vigilance to any on-site mixing of waste. With the introduction of the Hazardous Waste Regulations, more than ever firms need to have a detailed understanding of their waste streams, and focus on waste minimisation and sorting of waste. The waste management industry must continue to develop innovative treatment technologies, and work with hazardous waste producers to put the management systems in place needed to comply with these regulations."

Costs of disposal of hazardous waste are expected to rise significantly, both due to the increased requirements for compliance testing by landfill operators, and the dramatic reduction in the number of landfills capable of accepting hazardous waste under the new legislation, which will go from approximately 240 to less than fifteen