Social distancing when signing and handing over waste transfer and consignment notes in person: RPS C8
Updated 14 December 2021
Applies to England
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When you transfer waste, to comply with the regulations, you can use:
- paper waste transfer notes (including season tickets)
- consignment notes (including multiple collections)
- an electronic handset
You normally sign and hand over paper copies or obtain a digital signature in person.
This COVID-19 regulatory position statement (RPS) does not alter your legal obligations in relation to waste transfer or consignment notes. However, if you follow the conditions in this RPS the Environment Agency will not normally take enforcement action if you cannot do either of these in person:
- sign and hand over paper copies of waste transfer and consignment notes
- obtain a digital signature on a handset
If you use an electronic system for completing waste transfer and consignment notes, you can continue to use this as normal. If you have to hand over an electronic device to get a digital signature, follow the conditions in this COVID-19 RPS.
When this COVID-19 RPS applies
This COVID-19 RPS only applies when you use:
- paper copies of waste transfer notes
- paper consignment notes
- an electronic system that requires a digital signature on a handset
It applies when you:
- hand over waste to others
- receive waste from others
If you follow the conditions in this COVID-19 RPS, the Environment Agency will not normally take enforcement action if you do not carry out the following, in person, when you transfer the waste:
- sign or hand over paper copies of waste transfer notes
- sign or hand over paper copies of consignment notes
- get a digital signature on a handset
These are the only 3 activities that this COVID-19 RPS applies to.
This COVID-19 RPS does not apply to any other activity, even if it is under the same legislation. You may still need other permits, licences and registrations for other activities you carry out.
Conditions you must comply with
When you transfer waste, for each waste transfer and consignment note, you must meet these conditions.
The conditions apply to every waste transfer, from the waste producer through to its final holder.
Condition 1
You must make sure the appropriate person fills in the relevant sections of the waste transfer note or consignment note for each waste transfer. You do not need to sign or get a signature in the signature box.
Instead of a signature the responsible person must provide their full name and business contact details. This includes a telephone number, an email address or a postal address (or all 3).
Condition 2
If you are transferring or receiving waste, you do not need to physically hand over (or receive) the waste transfer or consignment note. But you must give (or receive) all the information and data normally provided in the note. This must be done before the waste transfer or at the time of the transfer – but not later.
Condition 3
For each waste transfer you must send or receive (as appropriate) the completed copy of the consignment note (without the signature).
You must do this as soon as possible and not later than 10 calendar days after the waste transfer has taken place.
Condition 4
You must keep a record of any waste you transfer or receive during the period of time you use this COVID-19 RPS. These records must include all the information and data required by the waste transfer note and consignment note.
You must keep records of:
- waste transfer notes for 2 years from the date of the transfer of the waste
- consignment notes for 3 years from the date of the transfer of the waste
You must make them available to the Environment Agency on request.
Condition 5
You must comply with all the other requirements for transferring or consigning waste. This includes complying with the waste duty of care.
Condition 6
You must make sure your activities do not endanger human health or the environment.
You must not:
- cause a risk to water, air, soil, plants or animals
- cause a nuisance through noise or odours
- adversely affect the countryside or places of special interest
Enforcement
A COVID-19 RPS means that the Environment Agency will not normally take enforcement action against you provided:
- your activity meets the description set out in this COVID-19 RPS
- you comply with the conditions set out in this COVID-19 RPS
- your activity does not, and is not likely to, cause environmental pollution or harm human health
If you operate under this COVID-19 RPS but think you may no longer be able to comply with its conditions, you must tell the Environment Agency immediately.
The Environment Agency will monitor how operators use and comply with this COVID-19 RPS through its proportionate, risk-based inspection and monitoring activity.
When to check back
This COVID-19 RPS will be withdrawn on 31 March 2022 unless we extend it.
After this date you must, in person:
- sign and hand over waste transfer notes and consignment notes
- obtain digital signatures
Or you must stop transferring waste.
Contact the Environment Agency
General enquiries
National Customer Contact Centre
PO Box 544
Rotherham
S60 1BY
Email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk
Telephone 03708 506 506
Telephone from outside the UK (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm GMT) +44 (0) 114 282 5312
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.