Environment Law Update: Transport and labelling of waste and hazardous substances 1

United Kingdom

CHIP

The Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) (Amendment) Regulations 2000 (SI 2000 No. 2381) came into force on 2 October 2000, bringing with them a revised edition of the "Approved Supply List", the Sixth Edition. The Regulations implement the 26th adaptation to technical progress (2000/32/EC) of the EC Directive on the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances (67/548/EEC). As well as updating the Approved Supply List, provisions relating to child resistant fastenings and tactile warning devices are amended. A transitional compliance period until 1 June 2001 is provided for.
(SO, September 2000)

Transfrontier waste shipments

Views have been sought on proposals by the DETR to amend the Transfrontier Shipments of Waste Regulations 1994 (SI 1994 No. 1137). The 1994 Regulations were made to give full effect to EC Regulation 2509/93 on the supervision and control of shipments within, into and out of the European Community. Various enforcement provisions in the Regulations designate the UK competent authorities. The Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland) has requested that the Environment and Heritage Service take over the role of competent authority for shipments between Northern Ireland and countries outside the UK. The DETR also intends to amend the Regulations to explore the possibility of making the Environment Agency the competent authority for the Isles of Scilly. In an attempt to tighten controls on international waste crime, the Government is proposing to amend Regulation 10 of the 1994 Regulations to grant Customs the ability to detain shipments without this action requiring a request by a competent authority. Views were also sought on proposals to make more information on trans-boundary shipments of waste more readily available. Comments were invited until 13 October 2000.
(DETR, August 2000)