Hazardous waste moves on a consignment note, but England and Wales publish separate instructions for completing it. This guide is not legal advice.
The same five parts
| Part | Who completes it |
|---|---|
| A and B | Producer, or holder who stores the waste |
| C | Carrier |
| D | Consignor (who hands the waste to the carrier) |
| E | Consignee (the site receiving the waste) |
(GOV.UK)
The note must be prepared before the waste is moved (GOV.UK: supplementary guidance) and must stay with the waste until it reaches its final destination (GOV.UK).
Movements that start in England
The GOV.UK supplementary guidance applies to England. Waste moving from England to Wales follows the normal England procedure. (GOV.UK: supplementary guidance)
As the carrier, GOV.UK says you: (GOV.UK: carriers)
- check parts A and B and the waste before you accept it
- separate the waste correctly when loading
- fill in your part of the note
- leave one copy with the producer or holder and keep two copies with the waste
- take the waste to the destination on the note
Delivery should normally be within 24 hours of collection. The consignee checks the waste and the note, accepts or rejects it, and completes part E. (GOV.UK: supplementary guidance)
An England carrier keeps its register for 1 year at its head office. (GOV.UK: carriers)
Movements to or from Wales
Natural Resources Wales says that if you move hazardous waste to or from any location within Wales, you must prepare a consignment note for each movement. Waste coming into Wales from outside follows the guidance of the country where it started. (Natural Resources Wales)
In Wales: (Natural Resources Wales)
- the producer or holder completes parts A and B before the waste is removed
- the carrier completes part C before the waste is removed
- the consignor completes part D, but not before the carrier arrives
- the consignee completes part E
Part B needs the weight in kilograms of each waste, its List of Wastes (EWC) code, its chemical or biological components, its physical form, its hazards and the number and size of containers. Dangerous goods details are needed where they apply. (Natural Resources Wales)
A carrier keeps its register for at least 12 months from the date the waste is delivered. (Hazardous Waste (Wales) Regulations 2005, regulation 50)
Moving waste between England and Wales
Follow the rules of the country where the movement starts. (GOV.UK: supplementary guidance; Natural Resources Wales)
Sources
Checked 1 November 2026.
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