If your business produces, carries, or receives hazardous waste, a standard Waste Transfer Note is not enough. This guide explains exactly what a Hazardous Waste Consignment Note is, who needs one, how to complete every section — including HP codes, consignment references, and POPs — and how to go digital.
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A Hazardous Waste Consignment Note (HWCN) is the legal document required whenever hazardous waste is transferred between premises in the UK. It replaces the standard Waste Transfer Note for any waste classified as hazardous under the HP code system.
It must be completed before the waste leaves the producer's site and must travel with the waste to the receiving facility. All three parties — producer, carrier, and consignee — must sign and retain copies.
Both documents create a chain of custody for waste, but a Hazardous Waste Consignment Note carries significantly more information and stricter legal requirements.
| Standard WTN | Hazardous Consignment Note | |
|---|---|---|
| Waste type | Non-hazardous only | Hazardous only |
| Consignment reference no. | Not required | Mandatory — unique per transfer |
| HP codes | Not required | Mandatory — must select applicable HP1–HP15 |
| POPs declaration | Not required | Required if waste may contain POPs |
| Special handling notes | Optional | Required where applicable |
| RPS number (consignee) | Not required | Mandatory |
| Pre-notification | Not required | Required (England & Wales) |
| Retention period | 2 years (3 in Scotland) | 3 years for all parties |
| Legislation | Environmental Protection Act 1990 | Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005 |
Any business that produces, carries, or receives hazardous waste must use a consignment note. This includes:
Waste is classified as hazardous if it exhibits one or more of the 15 hazardous properties (HP1–HP15). The starting point is the EWC code — any code marked with an asterisk (*) is absolutely hazardous and requires a consignment note regardless of its actual composition.
Some EWC codes appear in mirror entries — one with an asterisk (hazardous) and one without (non-hazardous). For these, the waste producer must assess the composition to determine which applies.
| Common hazardous waste type | EWC code | Typical HP code |
|---|---|---|
| Used engine oil | 13 02 05* | HP3, HP6 |
| Paint / varnish (solvent-based) | 08 01 11* | HP3, HP4 |
| Fluorescent tubes | 20 01 21* | HP6, HP14 |
| Batteries (lead acid) | 16 06 01* | HP6, HP8 |
| Asbestos | 17 06 01* | HP7, HP9 |
| Clinical / infectious waste | 18 01 03* | HP9 |
| Contaminated soil | 17 05 03* | HP4, HP14 |
| Aerosol cans (containing solvent) | 16 05 04* | HP3 |
Not sure of your EWC code? Search our full EWC code list — all 839 codes with descriptions.
HP codes identify the specific hazardous properties of the waste. A single waste stream can exhibit multiple HP codes — select all that apply. The HP codes must be based on testing, available data, or guidance documentation, and you must record the source of your classification on the consignment note.
| Code | Property | Common examples |
|---|---|---|
| HP1 | Explosive | Ammunition, fireworks, certain propellants |
| HP2 | Oxidising | Peroxides, nitrates, chlorates |
| HP3 | Flammable | Solvents, fuels, paints, aerosols, used oil |
| HP4 | Irritant | Acids, alkalis, cleaning fluids |
| HP5 | Harmful (specific organ toxicity) | Some solvents, pesticide residues |
| HP6 | Toxic | Cyanide compounds, mercury, arsenic |
| HP7 | Carcinogenic | Asbestos, certain solvents (benzene), tar |
| HP8 | Corrosive | Battery acid, strong alkalis, etching fluids |
| HP9 | Infectious | Clinical waste, sharps, laboratory cultures |
| HP10 | Toxic for reproduction | Certain heavy metals, some pesticides |
| HP11 | Mutagenic | Certain chemicals, some pesticides |
| HP12 | Releases acute toxic gas | Waste reacting with water to release toxic gas |
| HP13 | Sensitising | Isocyanates, formaldehyde |
| HP14 | Ecotoxic | PCBs, heavy metals, fluorescent tubes |
| HP15 | Capable of exhibiting hazardous property | Waste that may exhibit hazardous properties after disposal |
The example below shows a fully completed Hazardous Waste Consignment Note for a garage disposing of used engine oils. The details are fictional but realistic and match the format expected by the Environment Agency.
The Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005.
Consignment Ref: AB1234/00001
Company Name
Autotech Garage Services Ltd
Address
22 Mill Lane Industrial Estate, Leeds, LS9 7BG
SIC Code
45201 — Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles
Environmental Permit
EPR/XP3456LA
Contact Name
Paul Whitfield
Contact Phone
0113 245 8800
Carrier Company
Northern Hazardous Waste Ltd
Address
Unit 4, Kirklees Business Park, Bradford, BD6 2SZ
Carrier Registration
CBDU987654
Vehicle Registration
BD21 HWC
Site Name
Veolia Environmental Services — Skelton Grange
Address
Skelton Grange Road, Leeds, LS9 9NB
Environmental Permit
EPR/AB1234CD
RPS Number
AB12345678
Waste Description
Used mineral-based engine oils from vehicle servicing
EWC Code
13 02 05* — Mineral-based non-chlorinated engine oils (hazardous)
Quantity
200 litres
Containment
DRU — Drum (×4)
Physical Form
Liquid
Recovery Code
R9 — Oil re-refining
HP Codes
HP3 — Flammable, HP6 — Toxic
Special Handling Requirements
Keep away from ignition sources. PPE required: gloves, goggles, chemical-resistant apron.
Contains POPs
No
Source of HP Classification
Own Testing
Transfer Date
3 April 2026
Transfer Location
22 Mill Lane Industrial Estate, Leeds, LS9 7BG
Waste Hierarchy Confirmed
Yes — R9 re-refining selected as best available option
Pre-notification Sent
Yes — confirmed by consignee 1 April 2026
All three parties must sign. Hazardous waste consignment notes must be retained for 3 years. Use WasteBolt for legally valid e-signatures — no printing required.
Waste Producer
Waste Carrier
Consignee
Every hazardous waste consignment note must carry a unique reference number. The format differs by country.
| Region | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| England & Wales | 6-character producer code / 5-digit sequential number | AB1234/00001 |
| Scotland | SA, SB, or SC prefix + at least 7 digits | SA1234567 |
| Northern Ireland | DA, DB, or DC prefix + at least 7 digits | DA1234567 |
POPs are chemicals that persist in the environment and accumulate in living organisms. Since January 2021, the UK POPs Regulation requires producers to declare on the consignment note whether the waste contains any regulated POPs components.
If the waste does contain POPs, you must list:
Common waste types that may contain POPs include:
In England and Wales, the consignee (receiving facility) must be notified before hazardous waste arrives at their site. This is known as pre-notification and must happen before the waste leaves the producer's premises.
In practice, the carrier or producer contacts the consignee — usually by phone, email, or through the facility's own booking system — to confirm:
Once confirmed, the consignee signs the consignment note on receipt. Pre-notification is not a statutory requirement in Scotland or Northern Ireland, but is considered best practice.
| Party | Retention period | What to keep |
|---|---|---|
| Waste producer | 3 years | Signed consignment note + any pre-notification records |
| Waste carrier | 3 years | Signed consignment note for every load carried |
| Consignee (site) | 3 years | Signed consignment note + quarterly returns to EA |
Digital consignment notes are fully legal under UK waste regulations. WasteBolt's hazardous waste module handles every element of the HWCN in one form:
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A Hazardous Waste Consignment Note (HWCN) is the legal document required whenever hazardous waste is transferred between premises in the UK. It replaces the standard Waste Transfer Note for any waste classified as hazardous under the HP code system (HP1–HP15).
A standard Waste Transfer Note covers non-hazardous waste. A Hazardous Waste Consignment Note is required for hazardous waste and includes additional mandatory fields: a unique consignment reference number, HP hazard codes, POPs declaration, special handling requirements, and the consignee's RPS number.
Waste is hazardous if its EWC code is marked with an asterisk (*), or if it exhibits one or more of the HP1–HP15 hazardous properties. Common examples: used engine oils, fluorescent tubes, batteries, solvents, asbestos, and clinical waste.
In England and Wales the format is XXXXXX/YYYYY — a 6-character producer code followed by a 5-digit sequential number (e.g. AB1234/00001). In Scotland: SA/SB/SC + 7 digits. In Northern Ireland: DA/DB/DC + 7 digits.
Three years minimum for all parties — producer, carrier, and consignee. This is longer than the two-year requirement for standard Waste Transfer Notes.
Yes, in England and Wales. The receiving facility must be notified before the waste arrives. In Scotland and Northern Ireland pre-notification is best practice but not a statutory requirement.
Related articles
Waste Transfer Note Template — Free Download & Completed Example
The non-hazardous equivalent — a fully completed WTN example with field-by-field guidance.
How to Write a Waste Transfer Note: Step-by-Step Guide
Full guide to completing all five sections of a standard WTN correctly.
UK Waste Recovery & Disposal Codes (R1–R13 & D1–D15) Explained
Plain-English guide to all 28 R and D codes used on consignment notes.
Full EWC Code List — All 839 Codes Searchable
Find the right EWC code for your hazardous waste — asterisk codes shown clearly.