Paragraph 48 - The storage of WEEE pending recovery elsewhere

What the legislation says:

48. —(1) The storage at any secure place of WEEE of a type listed in column 1 of Table 6A if–

(a) the WEEE is stored for the purpose of its recovery elsewhere;

(b) the total quantity of any particular type of WEEE stored at the site at any time does not exceed the storage limit specified in column 2 of the Table in relation to that type of WEEE;

(d) the other relevant storage requirements specified in column 4 of the Table are met; and

(e) the WEEE is stored in such a manner that its environmentally sound reuse or recycling is not hindered.

Table 6A
Codes and Type of Waste*	Maximum quantity	Maximum duration	Type of containment
16 02 14 (WEEE other than those mentioned in 16 02 09 to 16 02 12) and 20 01 36 (WEEE other than those mentioned in 20 01 21, 20 01 23 and 20 01 35)	80 cubic metres	3 months	Impermeable surface within a secure store; weatherproof covering of stored WEEE
16 02 14 (WEEE other than those mentioned in 16 02 09 to 16 02 12) and 20 01 35 (WEEE other than those mentioned in 20 01 21 and 20 01 23 containing hazardous components)	80 cubic metres	3 months	Appropriate leak proof containers providing an impermeable surface

* Codes referred to in the European Waste Catalogue.

(2) The secure storage of WEEE of a type listed in column 1 of Table 6B if–

(a) the WEEE is stored for the purpose of its recovery elsewhere;

(b) the total quantity of any particular type of WEEE stored at the site at any time does not exceed the storage limit specified in column 2 of the Table;

(d) the relevant type of containment and other relevant requirements specified in columns 4 and 5 of the Table are met;

(e) the WEEE is stored in such a manner that its environmentally sound reuse or recycling is not hindered.

Table 6B
Codes and Type of Waste*	Maximum quantity	Maximum duration	Type of containment	Other Requirements
16 02 11 (WEEE containing chlorofluorocarbons, HCFC or HFC) and 20 01 23 (WEEE containing chlorofluorocarbons)	80 cubic metres	3 months	Impermeable surface within a secure store; weatherproof covering of stored WEEE	Stored in a manner that will prevent the release of the CFC, HCFC and HFC; overall height of any stack shall not exceed 2 units or 3.5metres, whichever is the lower
16 02 13 WEEE containing hazardous components other than those mentioned in 16 02 09 to 16 2 12) and 20 01 35 (WEEE other than those mentioned in 20 01 21 and 20 01 23 containing hazardous components)	80 cubic metres	3 months	Impermeable surface within a secure store; weatherproof covering of stored WEEE
20 01 21 (fluorescent tubes and other mercury-containing waste)	50 cubic metres	3 months	Appropriate leak proof containers; weatherproof covering	Stored in such a way that the glass is not broken

* Codes referred to in the European Waste Catalogue.

(3) For the purposes of sub paragraphs (1) and (2), the activity of storage shall be taken to include the incidental sorting of waste of that type.

(4) For the purposes of this paragraph, the storage and treatment limits set out in columns 2 and 3 of Tables 6A and 6B are overall limits that apply to all waste falling within the 6 digit code or codes specified in column 1 of those Tables.

Registration Requirements:

Needs to be registered with SEPA but no fee is required. Where waste is being stored at the place of production, the activity does not have to be registered.

This exemption can be registered online.

However, establishments and undertakings can still use the paper form should they wish. This form should be sent to the Registrar at your local SEPA area office (addresses are given on the form)

Guidance:

The following guidance gives further information on this exemption:

WMX-TG43+48 - Technical Guidance Note for Paragraph 43 and 48 exemptions (21.5k)

The following questions and answers are provided to help you further understand this exemption:

Q. How long will the registration last? Will it require renewal at any time?
A. The registration of this exemption is not time limited but it can be de-registered by SEPA if it is not managed properly and no longer fulfills the criteria requirements of the exemption or if the activities cause pollution or harm to health. If the activity does comply with the exemption criteria the registration will not have to be renewed except where there is a significant change to the activity.