Sites that accept waste vehicles
If you operate a business working with end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) you must meet requirements for storing and dismantling ELVs at your site.
What you must do
Comply with a waste management licence
You must have a waste management licence and comply with its conditions if you dismantle or store waste motor vehicles on your site that have not been depolluted.
Vehicles have been depolluted when they have been treated to the approved standard to remove fluids and other hazardous substances or components.
Comply with storage and treatment standards
If you store and treat ELVs, you must meet environmental standards to be classed as an authorised treatment facility (ATF). These standards include:
- storing and treating ELVs so they do not harm the environment
- removing all hazardous liquids and components (depolluting)
- recycling, storing and disposing of the parts appropriately.
SEPA: Guidance on the standards for storage and treatment of ELVs
Competent operator schemes
If you operate an ATF you will need to demonstrate your technical competence and comply with an approved scheme.
NetRegs: How to apply for a waste management licence
Follow hazardous waste controls
ELVs that have not been depolluted and some component parts, for example batteries, oil filters and waste engine oil, are hazardous waste. You must:
- use consignment notes to accompany your hazardous waste, and keep a copy of these for three years
- keep copies of 'return to producer' forms for three years (these are records of what has happened to your waste)
- notify your environmental regulator at least three days before the waste is moved.
Register waste exemptions
You must register an exemption from waste management licensing for certain activities.
If you dismantle or store waste motor vehicles that have been depolluted you may need a paragraph 45 exemption.
If you have an exemption from waste management licensing you must comply with the exemption conditions.
Further information
For more information on how to apply for a waste management licence or register an exemption, read the waste management licences guidance on the NetRegs website.
- Waste management licences
- SEPA: Standards for the storage and treatment of end-of-life vehicles
- SEPA: Waste management licensing exemptions (paragraph 45)
- NIEA: Paragraph 45 exemption for the dismantling of depolluted end-of-life vehicles
Good practice
You can use a generic toolkit for all businesses that will help you comply with your waste management licence and manage your environmental performance.