Hazardous waste

Under the Waste Act, all waste that because its properties may cause danger or harm to human health or environment is considered hazardous waste. Hazardous waste may be flammable, explosive, infectious or toxic.

The most common types of waste are listed in the Waste Decree. The list also includes information of which of the waste are hazardous. These include oils, acids and bases, paints, solvents and waste from other hazardous chemicals, impregnated wood, batteries, fluorescent tubes and electrical and electronic equipment waste.

If a type of waste is classified as hazardous in the Waste Decree, it must be treated as hazardous waste. 

If your company generates hazardous waste as part of its operations, you must handle and store the waste with caution. You must provide your employees with detailed instructions on how hazardous waste should be treated in normal situations and when problems arise. Keep records on the type, quality, and quantity of hazardous waste and how they are handled. 

You must store all hazardous waste separately from other waste and clearly mark the storage locations. Use the same precautions for storing chemical waste as for storing similar chemicals. You should be particularly careful with the storage of substances that must not get into contact with each other.

Pack hazardous waste tightly and sustainably. The name of the waste holder, type of the waste and (on a case-by-case basis) all necessary information and warnings must be given on the package.

Make sure that the packaging is secure and can be securely re-closed. It must be able to endure the strain and load arising from normal use, transport and storage. The packaging material must not react with the waste.

Never mix hazardous waste with other waste or substances. Also make sure that you do not store hazardous waste for long periods.

When handing over hazardous waste, mark down the recipient's name, the driver's name and their contact details in your records. You may only hand over waste to recipients and transport companies that have the required permits for treating and transporting hazardous waste.

When your company delivers hazardous waste, you must prepare a separate shipping document for the process. The shipping document must accompany the waste throughout the waste shipment process. After that it must be given to the waste consignee. You must keep a copy of the shipment document for three years after the shipment.

When you deliver hazardous waste directly to the consignee, the responsibility for the waste management is also transferred to the consignee. If you deliver hazardous waste to a party other than the designated consignee (such as a transport company), you and the party in question are responsible for organising the waste management.

This website is part of the European Your Europe portal. Give us feedback using the European Commission's feedback form.Opens in a new window.