New Legislation on Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) comes into effect
Date published:
PCBs are man-made organic compounds which were used in components of various products, including electrical equipment, before they were banned in 1986 under the UN Stockholm Convention.
PCBs are subject to ‘The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000’.
The Regulations have now been amended by ‘The Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025’ which came into effect on 17th June 2025.
Under the amended legislation, equipment containing higher than the new threshold limits of 0.005% PCBs by weight and a total volume of 0.05 dm3 (50 millilitres) must be registered with NIEA before 31st October 2025 and subsequently removed from use by 31st December 2025.
Existing closed uses of PCBs include, but are not limited to, heat exchange fluids such as coolants and insulating fluids (transformer oil) for transformers and capacitors manufactured prior to 1987.
PCBs have been recognised globally as harmful to human health and the environment. Businesses are required to register relevant equipment annually using the PCB registration database.
Associated guidance and fees for registration are available from the DAERA website.
Further information can be sought by contacting the NIEA Chemicals Compliance Team via: NIEAChemicals@daera-ni.gov.uk
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