Micro Environmental Ltd | Chemical Waste in Wolverhampton and Birmingham - Know Your Options

Chemical waste is one of the most intensely regulated areas of waste management and if you or your business comes in to contact with chemical waste at any point then you are responsible for how it is stored and disposed of.

As a leading West Midlands Chemical Waste Management Provider, we see excellent chemical waste practices on a daily basis – occasionally we see less desirable practices too and we work with our clients to ensure they are working in line with EU legislation.

As much of the chemical waste legislation derives from EU policies, it is important to note that the current guidance is under review – however, the HSE are keen to point out that individual and organizational responsibilities will not be impacted when the UK leaves the EU and we don’t foresee radical changes to be likely. 

When it comes to chemical waste, your responsibilities will depend on your role within the supply chain. If you produce chemicals as a manufacturer then you will have different responsibilities to those of a retailer for example.

The roles within the supply chain may include:

• Chemical manufacturers
• Importers
• Downstream users
• Retailers
• Storage
• Consumers
  
  

Chemical waste can be created at any point in the supply chain and has to be handled appropriately.

Like most forms of waste management; the manufacture, storing, processing, transporting or disposing of chemicals always starts with classification. Typically, chemicals will need to be identified as to whether or not they can be hazardous to human health. As chemical waste is classified as potentially being a form of hazardous waste it will need to be assessed as either ‘Always hazardous’, ‘Never hazardous’ or ‘May, or may not, be hazardous and need to be assessed’.

Any business that has chemicals on site will need to first assess the risks associated with the chemicals they use, and this is done so by following the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and REACH guidance documentation. Essentially, these guidelines ensure that CLP (Classification, labelling and packaging) regulations are adhered to and aims to provide a clear and uniform labelling system for chemicals globally.