SCOTLAND: TIGHTER CONTROLS FOR HAZARDOUS WASTES

Steps have been taken to strengthen controls on monitoring and handling hazardous wastes.

Proposals, announced today, expand the list of wastes categorized as hazardous, in line with practice across Europe, and ensure that proper measures are in place for following movements of these wastes from production to disposal.

The proposals form part of a consultation paper: "Safer Special Waste: Amendments to Special Waste Regulations" published today.

Ross Finnie, Minister for Environment & Rural Development, said:

"This review of the Special Waste Regulations is part of the Executive's across-the-board approach to improving Scotland's waste management record.

"Together with our recent Landfill Regulations it is evidence of the Executive's determination to keep our communities safe and to ensure effective protection of public health and the environment.

"Ensuring best practice in waste handling and disposal is an important element of the Executive's waste management policy. The more dangerous the waste, the more careful we have to be about how we handle it.

"The measures we are consulting on now will ensure that hazardous wastes are carefully monitored, so that we can be sure they are being disposed of properly."