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IMFormation December 2007
WASTE PRE-TREATMENT:WILL YOU COMPLY?
The new requirements of the Landfill Regulations 2002 for England and Wales came into force
on 30th October this year. Two new requirements, previously only applicable to hazardous
waste, now apply to all business non hazardous waste destined for landfill.
Non-hazardous landfills will only be able to accept non-hazardous waste that has been treated
and they will no longer be able to accept liquid wastes. The new requirements now force
producers of waste destined for landfill to ensure that they know who takes responsibility for
its pre-treatment.
For some waste producers, compliance with the Landfill Regulations will be simple e.g. they
could collect individual waste streams separately and recycle one or more of them, however,
logistical problems such as lack of space for sorting and storing may arise.
To comply with the new requirements, waste collectors must demonstrate to landfill operators
that the waste has been treated. This means that they must either take non-treated waste to a
facility for treatment or ensure that it is treated prior to collection.
Where producers say that the waste has already been treated, then it is likely that waste
collectors will require a written declaration or inclusion as part of the Duty of Care transfer note
from the waste producer.
Landfill operators must now ensure that waste arriving at the landfill has undergone treatment
and they will inspect paperwork and waste on arrival at the site. If it is evident that waste has
not been pre-treated, then as part of the landfill site’s waste acceptance procedures, the landfill
operator will need to manage the waste in the same way as they would for any other nonpermitted
waste, i.e. notification of a firm’s non-compliance to the Environment Agency (EA),
removal of the waste off-site or returning the waste to the producer, the producer being charged
additional fees by the waste contractor.
In recent years, waste management companies have undertaken significant investment in
various types of biological treatment facilities e.g. such as composting and anaerobic digestion
plants or, thermal treatment facilities such as energy from waste plants. There is wide
recognition throughout the waste industry that the landfill tax is not high enough to encourage
sufficient investment in speculative industrial and commercial waste treatment facilities. On
price comparison grounds the landfill option continues to be attractive, however, the proposed
rises in landfill tax from April 2008 may well stimulate investment going forward.
SLR Consulting, a leading advisor on waste management, has not seen a significant increase in
applications being made by waste operators seeking permissions to operate pre-treatment
facilities, it would seem that waste companies are confident that their existing facilities have
sufficient capacity to treat waste prior to being consigned to landfill.
The ban on disposal of non-hazardous liquid wastes to landfill came into force from October
affecting liquid wastes from a variety of industries will require pre-treatment prior to disposal.
Are the new landfill requirements likely to lead to an increase in disposal costs? The
Environment Agency thinks not – it anticipates that a review of waste production and
management options can often identify potential for cost savings. It would appear, however,
that these assumptions rely on the fact that businesses have the time, knowledge and resources
to explore fully their options for disposal of their waste prior to going to landfill.
The above is an extract from an article by Clare Boles, principal at SLR Consulting Ltd who
have given permission for publication of this extract. Information on the pre-treatment of
wastes, and the service provided by SLR Consulting is available - tel: 029 204 97366 or email:
cboles@slrconsulting.co.uk, SLR web site: www.slrconsulting.co.uk
Health, Safety and Environment
Health and Safety Commission (HSC)
launches consultation on a new
chemical classification and labelling
regulation
The HSC has launched a 12-week consultation on the
proposed European Regulation on the classification,
labelling and packaging of chemicals, based on the
United Nation’s Globally Harmonised System (GHS)
The Regulation, which is currently being negotiated by
European Union Member States, will eventually replace
the existing classification and labelling system that
many chemical suppliers will know through the
Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for
Supply) Regulations – known as CHIP.
The consultation invites stakeholders to review the
proposed Regulation and respond to the HSC with any
comments. The EC formally launched the proposed
Regulation on 27th June 2007. The Regulation is a major
step forward in achieving a global system for identifying
the hazards in chemicals and advising users of those
hazards through labels. Although many of the duties to
classify, label and package hazardous chemicals
correctly will remain the same, the Regulation will
also introduce:
• Some new scientific criteria to classify
hazards;
• Some new hazard pictograms or symbols;
• New hazard and precautionary statements for
the labels which will alert users to the dangers
present.
New Guidance on the use of
Trichloroethylene (TCE)
New guidance has been issued on the use of TCE under
the Solvent Emissions Directive (SED) to protect the
environment with requirements applicable from end of
October 2007.
TCE with a risk phrase R45 is classed as a higher risk
solvent and if SED applies, the user has to substitute
TCE in the shortest possible time (Defra Guidance note
AQ9(04)
TCE is a ‘Priority Substance’ under the EU’s Existing
Substances Regulation (EC/793/93). Following a
voluntary agreement for the safe use of TCE in metal
cleaning, signed by all European producers:
• TCE will not be supplied after 2010 unless the
user has a ‘closed system’.
• Users must give a written undertaking that TCE
will only and exclusively be used in a
‘closed system’.
The full guidance can be viewed on IMF and SEA
websites:www.uk-finishing.org.uk & www.sea.org.uk
Nickel Salts Guidance for Electroplaters
At the nickel & nickel salts guidance symposium held
recently at the at the Birmingham Medical Institute two
leaflets were launched to nearly 100 delegates in
attendance:
• Controlling the risk of inhaling mist containing
nickel and
• Controlling the risk of skin exposure
Both documents are free to download from
HSE’s webpages at http:
www.hse.gov.uk/surfaceengineering/information.htm
New classification for the affected nickel salts and their
risk phrase under the 30th and 31st ‘Adaptations to
Technical Progress (ATPS) to include the Risk Phrase
R49: may cause cancer by inhalation are as follows:
Nickel Carbonate, Nickel Sulphate, Nickel Chloride,
Nickel Nitrate & Nickel Sulphamate
Carc. Cat 1; R49. Repr. Cat 2; R61. Muta. Cat 3; R68
The reclassification is significant because it affects the
way substances are treated under COSHH, specifically
under Regulation 7(5).
Contaminated land guidance needed
The Environment Industries Commission (EIC) is urging
the government to speed up new guidance on assessing
contaminated land. EIC chiefs say national guidance
would help to remove some of the barriers, which could
help developers from using previously developed sites.
Director of EIC, Merlin Hyman said ‘No one is going to
go ahead and build on anything that had any
development on it beforehand without assessing the risk,
even if it was a very low-risk development’.
HSC says don’t overcomplicate health
and Safety
As a part of the Government’s Better Regulation Agenda
the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) and the Health
and Safety Executive (HSE) have initiated a dedicated
project to help small and medium size businesses
(SMEs) to fulfil their health and safety requirements as
outlined by law. With this initiative HSE aims to reduce
the cost of risk assessment to most business by a third.
What has come to be known as ‘elfandsafety’ can be a
frustrating business. In part it’s frustrating because so
many stories you hear are based on misinterpretations of
the law, or the misguided actions of a few individuals.
H & S safety law is flexible, but it can be intimidating if
you are not sure what is required.
Building on a sensible risk campaign, HSC announced
the launch of three more of HSE’s example risk assessments to help businesses, saying you don’t need
to overcomplicate things, keep your risk assessment fit
for purpose, make it a living document and act on it.
Risk assessment should be about what practical steps
you need to take to protect people, not paperwork for
its own sake - filling in a form never saved a life. HSE
has been working closely with stakeholders to develop
industry-specific concise and practical example of risk
assessments that will help businesses with the
information they need to make informed decisions, and
make significant impact on the amount of time and
money they feel they need to spend managing the risks
in their workplaces. This project will help SMEs
understand what a ‘good enough’ risk assessment
looks like.
In Court today
A waste company has been fined £30,000 plus £13,000
costs, for trying to illegally ship maggot infested waste
abroad in containers labelled ‘paper waste’ which held
cardboard, tins, plastics, glass textiles, council collected
rubbish and maggots.
A company has been fined £15,000 for a serious breach
of its pollution prevention and control permit at its
Asbestos handing site. One of the permit conditions was
that asbestos material was to be properly covered. An
inspector revealed that clouds of dust containing
asbestos was allowed to enter the atmosphere.
Company News and Products
E C Williams Ltd
E C Williams are the UK distributor for X-Loupe™, a
revolution in portable microscope technology, which is
set to replace the role of the traditional laboratory
microscope in the finishing and protective coatings
industry. It is ideal for quality control and inspection of
blemishes on surface coatings , where it can save time,
expense and help safeguard against potential errors and
misconceptions.
Further information from ECW, Tel: 0121 236 2524 or
email: plating@ecwilliams.co.uk
Schloetter Company Ltd
Two new products:
SLOTOCLEAN BZ 80 – an inhibited mixed acid
pickle/de-greaser with extender bath life
SLOTOTIN MB 110 – a new process with the ability to
withstand heat ageing, resisting yellowing and poor
solderability. Suitable for high speed plating and the
same composition for both barrel and rack applications.
Details – Paul Griffiths Tel: 01386 552331 or email:
sales@schloetter.co.uk
Donaldson Filtration Solution
Energy-saving & user-friendly - New Ultra-Filter
Donaldson claim one can save a 3 to 4 digit sum on
energy costs per annum with each Ultra-Filter. Simpler
assembly and service through the basic new design of
the filter housing, and is thus more efficient.
In addition, a new filter medium is used that repel oil and
water at the surface thus keeping a large cross sectional
area available for retention of particles.
For further information, please go to:
www.the-new-ultra-filter.com
STUFF 4…The Paintshop
A catalogue of items of equipment for your paint
department, from small Touch-up Bottles, Spraygun
Maintenance Kits etc to Paint Thickness Gauges. Send
for the descriptive brochure – Tel: 01676 532047,
email: stuff4@power-tec.co.uk
IMF News
New Members & Transfers
Affiliate
Brodie, Alexander DARA, Perth
Bloxham, Alan Dunlop Equipment
Burt, Andrew Polestar
Fidahusein, Zahida
Fisher, Adam DARA. Perth
Hawkins, Richard DARA , Perth
Houghton, Faren AEM Ltd
Mackie, Andrew DARA, Perth
McGivern, David AJT ENG, Ltd
Murrell, Lee Pickersgill Electroplating
Palmer, Kevin Schloetter Company Ltd
Parker, Nicholas Filtronic
Parris, Hazel Trimite
Taylor, Simon Goodrich Aerospace
Van der Spuy, Tony South African Metal Fin.
Member - MIMF
Carey, John MAHLE Engine Systems
Examination Results – September 2007
Foundation – Distance Learning
Bennett, Richard # Schloetter Co Ltd
Bishop, Gary Dorsetware
Concannon, Lucy * Birmingham University
Hope, James # Tecan Ltd
Kernaghan, Gary Hawker Pacific Aero.
Latham, John # Tecan Ltd
Palmer, Kevin # Schloetter Co Ltd
Payne, Stephen * Deutsch UK
Percy, Matthew * Deutsch UK
Pheby, Joe # Tecan Ltd
Poole, Tony Hawker Pacific Aero.
Poulter, James # Deutsch UK
Smith, Martin Jay Jay Surface Finisher
Plating Practice – Distance Learning
Kenny, William * British Metal Treatment
Foundation – Tutored Course – Seagate (Ireland)
Baldrick, William #
Barr, Conor
Concannon, Matt #
Doherty, Eamon #
Gillespie, Stephen
Greene, Julie #
MacDonald, Liam
Obenndip, Divine #
* Pass with Merit # Pass with Distinction
New Sustaining Members
Shanghai Electroplating Association
960 Xhong Xing Road, Shanghai
China 200070
Tel: 86-21-56323290, Email:sea@shea.cn
The Shanghai Electroplating Association acts
as a linkage between Government and the
plating industry members supporting them in
order to obtain legitimate approval and
communicate with each other.
Scotsman Beverage Systems Ltd
Chancel Way, Halesowen Industrial Estate
Halesowen, West Midlands B62 8SE
Tel: 0121 501 2566, Fax: 0121 585 6658
Scotsman Beverage Systems are one of
Europe’s largest manufacturers and suppliers
of drink dispensing equipment. They supply
cooling and dispense equipment to the
brewery and soft drinks industries.
Midland Branch/Organic Group
Tuesday 12 February 2008 at the Birmingham
Medical Institute, Edgbaston, Birmingham
One-day Symposium and Tabletop exhibition
entitled:
‘Surface Preparation and Pre-treatment’
Further details from IMF – tel: 0121 622 7387
Out and About
Surfex 2008 3 and 4 June 2008 at the Harrogate
International Centre
Tribology 2008 – Surface Engineering of
Automotive Powertrains for Environmentally
Friendly Transport
8 – 10 July 2008. Call for Papers to: Lisa Rist at:
l_rist@imeche.org
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