Environment Agency - Home

Exemptions - carriers and brokers

Who is exempt from registering as a waste carrier or broker of controlled waste?

Most businesses that transport waste or arrange the disposal or recovery of waste for others must be registered with us. However, the following are exempt:
 
  • Ferry operators in relation to vehicles carried on the ferry;
  • Operators of a vessel, aircraft, hovercraft, marine structure, floating container or vessel being used to dispose of waste at sea in accordance with the Food and Environmental Protection Act (FEPA) 1985.

If your type of business is included in the categories below, you are also exempt from carrier and/or broker registration but you do still need to let us know that you are a professional collector and/or dealer of waste. This is easier than full registration and it's free.

Your registration lasts indefinitely so you do not need to renew it.

The types of business exempt from carrier and/or broker registration are:

  • a Waste Collection Authority, Waste Disposal Authority or Waste Regulation Authority under Part II of the Environmental Protection Act 1990
  • a charity
  • a voluntary organisation under section 48(11) of the Local Government Act 1985
  • a carrier or broker of agricultural waste or mines or quarries waste only
  • a carrier or broker of animal by-products only.

Remember: Registration as a professional collector or dealer only covers you for the activities identified above. If you are registered as a professional collector and/or dealer and you transport or broker waste in other circumstances, you may be committing an offence and could be prosecuted.

If you carry or broker waste but are not covered by one of these exemptions, you may need to register as a carrier or broker of controlled waste.