Accessibility statement - Public Registers

This accessibility statement applies to Public Registers.

• change colours, contrast levels and fonts using browser or device settings
• zoom in up to 400% without the text spilling off the screen
• navigate most of the website using a keyboard or speech recognition software
• listen to most of the website using a screen reader (including the most recent versions of JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver)

We’ve also made the website text as simple as possible to understand.

AbilityNet has advice on making your device easier to use if you have a disability.

How accessible this website is

We know some parts of this website aren't fully accessible:

• many of the PDF documents are image-based scans, which are not accessible.
• On mobile devices and at 200% magnification, the home button in the menu is hidden which means users are unable to return to the homepage to navigate the website
• On mobile devices, in portrait mode, some paging options are partially obscured by the fixed footer menu
• There is only one way to navigate the website - from the homepage links

Feedback and contact information

If you find any problems not listed on this page or think we’re not meeting accessibility requirements, contact the DAERA Helpline who will direct you towards the correct branch or division.

• email daera.helpline@daera-ni.gov.uk
• call 0300 200 7852

You can also contact the DAERA Helpline if you need information on this website in a different format like accessible PDF, large print, easy read, audio recording or braille.

If you have a hearing difficulty you can contact DAERA via Text Relay using the Next Generation Text Service (NGTS). Making a call from a textphone dial 18001 + number. Making a call from a telephone dial 18002 + number.

There are also various Text to Speech applications available to use

If you cannot view the map on our contact us page, call or email us for directions.

Enforcement procedure

The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland is responsible for enforcing the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018 (the ‘accessibility regulations’). If you’re not happy with how we respond to your complaint, contact contact the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland (ECNI).

Technical information about this website’s accessibility

DAERA is committed to making its website accessible, in accordance with the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility Regulations 2018.

Compliance status

The website has been tested against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standard.

This website is partially compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2 AA standard, due to the non-compliances listed below.

Non-accessible content

The content listed below is non-accessible for the following reasons.

Non-compliance with the accessibility regulations

• Hyperlink opens in a new tab without informing the user of this change. (3.2.2 On Input) 
• Increasing text size to 200% causes the 'Home' button to disappear from the screen, meaning users are unable to return to the homepage to navigate the website. (1.4.4 Resize Text)
• Reflow issues occur when text is resized to 200% and orientation is changed, causing scrolling in two dimensions. (1.4.10 Reflow)
• Changing the view to a portrait mobile view causes the search button to become hidden. (1.3.4 Orientation)
• Changing the orientation of the screen causes reflow issues such as requiring the user to scroll in two dimensions to view table content. (1.3.4 Orientation)
• On mobile devices, in portrait mode, some pagination options are partially or fully obscured by the fixed footer menu. (2.4.11: Focus Not Obscured (Minimum))
• The 'skip to main content' link is tabbed to after the main navigation so does not fulfil its intended purpose, to allow the user to bypass that block (2.4.1: Bypass Blocks)
• Hyperlinks are shown in colour with no underline until the cursor is over the content, the hyperlink should be underlined at all times so content does not rely solely on colour. (2.4.4: Link Purpose (In Context) / 1.4.1: Use of Colour)

Disproportionate burden

• Not applicable

Content that’s not within the scope of the accessibility regulations

PDFs and other documents

The accessibility regulations do not require us to fix PDFs or other documents published before 23 September 2018 if they’re not essential to providing our services.

Downloadable PDFs appear to be image-based scans, which are not accessible for all users as they cannot be read by screenreaders.

What we’re doing to improve accessibility

DAERA is actively engaged in improving the accessibility of its applications. As part of our 'UX Checklist', we require developers to design software with accessibility compliance built in. In those circumstances where compliance cannot be met, reasons for this should be documented, along with steps for addressing issues. We also endeavour to carry out user research to ascertain user requirements and conduct usability workshopping before launching new applications.

Preparation of this accessibility statement

This statement was prepared on 14 July 2022. It was last reviewed on 06 May 2026.

This website was last tested on 06 May 2026 against the WCAG 2.2 AA standard.

The test was carried out by DAERA Digital Services Division.

The following pages were tested:

• Homepage
• Registered carriers database
• Waste management licensing
• Pollution prevention and control
• Advertisement of draft determinations
• PDF documents

We chose to test those pages which were most commonly used, and most representative of the general functionality and layout of the web application. Sample pages were tested for code compliance using the Axe and WAVE testing tools. The pages also underwent manual testing to ensure they adhered to the four Accessibility principles (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust). We also test using NVDA screenreader, and Adobe Acrobat Accessibility Checker (where applicable).

The full accessibility test report can be made available on request.