Impacts of the Basel Proposals on UK Export of UEEE and WEEE

Our Consultancy team was commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) to produce a comprehensive report on the Basel Convention's implications for the UK's management of hazardous wastes.

The Basel Convention, an international treaty, regulates the transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal to protect human health and the environment.

Scope of work:

Our team conducted an in-depth analysis of the UK's current hazardous waste management practices in the context of the Basel Convention's requirements. This involved:

• Data collection: Gathering and reviewing data on hazardous waste generation, export, import, and disposal within the UK.
• Regulatory assessment: Evaluating existing UK regulations and policies to ensure alignment with the Basel Convention's provisions.
• Stakeholder engagement: Consulting with industry experts, waste management companies, and regulatory bodies to gather insights and identify challenges in compliance.
• Gap analysis: Identifying discrepancies between current practices and international obligations, and assessing the potential impact of non-compliance.

Key findings:

The report highlighted areas where the UK excels in hazardous waste management and identified opportunities for improvement to fully comply with the Basel Convention. Recommendations were provided to enhance regulatory frameworks, improve data reporting accuracy, and strengthen enforcement mechanisms.

This collaborative effort underscores our commitment to supporting Defra in safeguarding environmental and public health through effective hazardous waste management strategies.