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  • The secure storage of waste batteries and accumulators - paragraph 52 exemption

    Topics:
    • Resource & Waste Policy, 
    • Waste management licensing exemptions (list)

    A paragraph 52 exemption allows the secure storage of waste batteries or accumulators(1) at a place other than the place of production, pending their recovery.

    Waste stream(s) permitted

    Waste batteries or accumulators specified in Table 11E of Schedule 2, Part 1 of the Waste Management Licensing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 (as amended) as follows:

    • EWC 16 06 01*, lead batteries
    • EWC 16 06 02*, Ni-Cd batteries
    • EWC 16 06 04, alkaline batteries except 16 06 03, mercury-containing batteries
    • EWC 20 01 33*, batteries and accumulators2 included in 16 06 01, 16 06 02 or 16 06 03 and unsorted batteries and accumulators containing these batteries
    • EWC 20 01 34, batteries and accumulators other than those mentioned in 20 01 33

    Quantity

    The maximum quantity of automotive batteries and accumulators3 that can be stored at any one time is 5 tonnes.

    The maximum quantity of portable batteries and accumulators4 that can be stored at any one time is 10 tonnes.

    Storage

    The storage site must have a sealed drainage system and all storage must take place on an impermeable pavement5, under weatherproof covering.

    The duration of storage must not be longer than 6 months.

    Interpretation

    1. "waste battery or accumulator" means any battery or accumulator which is waste within the meaning of Article 1(1)(a) of Directive 2006//12/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste.
    2. "battery or accumulator" means any source of electrical energy generated by direct conversion of chemical energy and consisting of one or more primary battery cells (non-rechargeable) or consisting of one or more secondary battery cells (rechargeable).
    3. "automotive battery or accumulator" means any battery or accumulator used for automotive starter, lighting or ignition power.
    4. "portable battery or accumulator" means any battery, accumulator or battery pack which is sealed; can be hand-carried by an average person without difficulty; is neither an automotive battery or accumulator nor an industrial battery or accumulator
    5. "impermeable pavement” means a pavement in the area where a waste recovery or storage operation takes place and which is capable of containing any spillage of waste received and is connected to a drainage system with impermeable components, which does not leak and which will ensure that:
    • no liquid will run off the pavement otherwise than via the drainage system
    • except where they may be lawfully discharged, all liquids entering the drainage system are collected in a sealed sump

    An asterisk against an EWC code indicates that the waste is hazardous. If you handle hazardous waste under this exemption you may have additional obligations under the Hazardous Waste Regulations.

    What the legislation says

    The full wording of the paragraph 52 exemption can be found in Schedule 2 of the Waste Management Licensing Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003.

    Relevant Objectives in relation to the disposal or recovery of waste are given in paragraph 4 of Schedule 3 to the Regulations.

    Should you have any queries in relation to your application please contact:-

    • Regulation Unit

    Forms and guidance

    • Paragraph 52 specific guidance
    • General guidance
    • you can also apply online here

    Related content

    • Burning of waste as a fuel - paragraph 5 exemption
    • Burning of waste as a fuel in an appliance with a net rated thermal input of less than 0.4 megawatts - paragraph 7 exemption
    • Cleaning, washing, spraying or coating of waste packaging or containers - paragraph 6 exemption
    • Land treatment for agricultural benefit or ecological improvement - paragraph 9 exemption
    • Operation of a scrap metal furnace under a Pollution Prevention Control (PPC) permit - paragraph 4 exemption
    • Operation of a scrap metal furnace under an IPC authorisation - paragraph 3 exemption
    • The baling, compacting, crushing, shredding or pulverising of waste at the place of production - paragraph 27 exemption
    • The beneficial use of waste - paragraph 16 exemption
    • The burial of a dead domestic pet in the garden of a domestic property where the pet lived - paragraph 37 exemption
    • The burial on premises of sanitary waste arising from the use on those premises of a sanitary convenience which is equipped with a removable receptacle - paragraph 32 exemption
    • The burning of waste at a dock - paragraph 47 exemption
    • The burning of waste on land in the open - paragraph 30 exemption
    • The chipping, shredding, cutting or pulverising waste plant matter - paragraph 21 exemption
    • The composting and storage of biodegradable waste - paragraph 13 exemption
    • The crushing of waste gas discharge lamps - paragraph 51 exemption
    • The crushing, grinding or other size reduction of waste bricks, tiles or concrete - paragraph 24 exemption
    • The deposit of borehole or excavated waste - paragraph 35 exemption
    • The deposit of waste arising from dredging inland waters or from clearing plant matter from inland waters - paragraph 25 exemption
    • The discharge of sanitary waste from a passenger train - paragraph 31 exemption
    • The disposal of specified wastes at the place of production in an incinerator - paragraph 29 exemption
    • The heating of metals in a furnace or other combustion chamber for the purpose of removing grease, oil or any other non-metallic contaminant - paragraph 44 exemption
    • The keeping or deposit of spent railway ballast - paragraph 34 exemption
    • The keeping or deposit of waste arising from peatworking - paragraph 33 exemption
    • The laundering or otherwise cleaning of waste textiles with a view to recovery or reuse - paragraph 20 exemption
    • The manufacture of finished goods from waste metal, plastic, glass, ceramics, rubber, textiles, wood, paper or cardboard, and the storage of those wastes - paragraph 15 exemption
    • The manufacture of products from waste, the treatment of waste soil or rock which is to be spread on land under paragraph 9 or 11, and the storage of waste which is to be submitted to the preceding activities - paragraph 14 exemption
    • The reclamation, restoration or improvement of land - paragraph 11 exemption
    • The recovery and storage of waste from a water treatment works or a sewage treatment works - paragraph 46 exemption
    • The recovery of scrap metal or the dismantling of depolluted end-of-life vehicles - paragraph 45 exemption
    • The recovery of silver from waste produced in connection with printing or photographic processing - paragraph 22 exemption
    • The recovery of waste as an integral part of the process that produces it - paragraph 26 exemption
    • The recovery of waste consisting of animal by-products - paragraph 23 exemption
    • The repair, refurbishment, and storage of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) - paragraph 49 exemption
    • The secure storage of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) - paragraph 50 exemption
    • The spreading, or storage and spreading of sludge on land which is not land used for agriculture - paragraph 10(a) exemption
    • The storage of non-liquid waste including waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) at any site other than the premises where it is produced - paragraph 40 exemption
    • The storage of sludge - paragraph 10(b) exemption
    • The storage of waste medicines at a pharmacy or storage of waste at the premises of a medical, nursing or veterinary practice - paragraph 39 exemption
    • The storage or deposit of waste samples to be tested or analysed - paragraph 38 exemption
    • The temporary storage of garbage or tank washings from ships at a port - paragraph 36 exemption
    • The temporary storage of waste, including WEEE, pending its collection, at the place where it is produced - paragraph 41 exemption
    • The treatment and storage of waste with a view to recovery or reuse, according to specified conditions - paragraph 12 simple exemption
    • The use and storage of waste glass in a process under an IPC authorisation - paragraph 1 exemption
    • The use and storage of waste glass under a Pollution Prevention Control (PPC) permit - paragraph 2 exemption
    • The use and/or storage of waste for the purpose of construction, maintenance or improvement of relevant work - paragraph 19 exemption
    • The waste management transitional arrangements for the treatment, keeping or disposal at any premises, of scrap metal or waste motor vehicles, which are to be dismantled pending the issue of a licence - paragraph 42 exemption
    • The waste management transitional arrangements to cover (up to 19 December 2004) the treatment, keeping or disposal of waste - paragraph 43 exemption
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