Registration and Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
Information about Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) including registration, applications to register and disposal.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are recognised as a threat to the environment due to their toxicity, persistence and tendency to build up in the bodies of animals. Holders of equipment containing PCBs and other dangerous substances are legally required to register their holdings with us. They are also required to label the equipment, phase-out and safely dispose of significant PCB holdings.
Registration of PCBs
In Northern Ireland, the Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Other Dangerous Substances) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 control the registration and disposal of PCBs, as amended by The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025.
To comply with the Regulations, you must register any equipment on the PCB Register. Whilst completing the register, if you discover your organisation (or subsidiaries) have unregistered equipment that are likely to contain PCBs and fit the definition of Contaminated Equipment - you should register it immediately.
We have fixed charges for the service given while carrying out functions in connection with these regulations, including charges for holders registering their holdings. These charges are set out below if you submit the information electronically*:
| Number of pieces of equipment | Fees |
| ≤20 | £155 |
| >20 | £250 |
*If you wish to make a paper submission, higher charges apply to allow us to process the information. Please contact us on the email address or phone number provided if you wish to register in this way.
This includes equipment you suspect may hold PCBs, awaiting analysis results or scheduled for disposal. Most items containing PCBs should be disposed of or decontaminated as soon as possible, although there are certain limited exceptions.
If you have any questions or problems with registration, you can contact the NIEA Chemicals team at nieachemicals@daera-ni.gov.uk or 02890 569289.
Disposal of PCBs
When the equipment is ready to be disposed of, it will be regarded as Hazardous Waste.
If you have any questions or problems, you can call the NIEA Hazardous Waste Team on 028 9056 9710 or contact them at hazwaste@daera-ni.gov.uk.
Further useful information may be found at https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/guide-consigning-hazardous-waste