Greenspace

Digital Waste Tracking (Wales) Regulations 2026

Synopsis

These regulations will implement the first phase of the mandatory digital waste tracking system in Wales from 1 October 2026. In this phase, facilities in Wales that are permitted to receive waste will need to register with the digital waste tracking system and enter specified information on waste received into the system.

The forthcoming second phase, expected in 2027, will apply to producers, carriers and brokers of waste.

Summary

The Digital Waste Tracking (Wales) Regulations 2026 come into force on 1 October 2026.

This legislation will apply in Wales only.

What will change?

These draft regulations are intended to facilitate the implementation of the mandatory digital waste tracking system in Wales.

The mandatory digital waste tracking system under the Environment Act 2021 is being introduced in two phases. The Digital Waste Tracking (Wales) Regulations 2026 concern the implementation of the first phase in Wales. The first phase will apply to all waste received at permitted facilities where a waste activity is carried out (‘operators of permitted facilities’).

Digital waste tracking system

The Welsh Ministers are required to establish a digital waste tracking system.

Upon receipt of controlled waste, operators of permitted facilities are required to:

record the specified information (stated in Schedule 1) as a digital waste record; and
confirm the record has been entered into the digital waste tracking system. This is confirmed by receiving the unique digital waste record number.

Operators are required to correct any errors in digital waste records as soon as reasonably practicable and within a month maximum.

Specified information for waste records

Part 2 to Schedule 1 lists ‘specified information’ to be recorded in digital waste records:

Operator details: Name, email address and telephone number (if available) and permit number.
Permitted facility: Address and the time and date the waste was received. Where the permitted facility is a mobile plant, the deployment reference number must be recorded.
Waste transporter: Name, address, email address and telephone number (if available), carrier registration number/transport authorisation number. If no carrier registration number/transport authorisation number is in place, the reason why must be given.
Hazardous waste: Consignment note codes must be recorded for hazardous waste, or a reason must be given when there was no note.
Broker/dealer: Name, address, email address and telephone number and broker/dealer registration or the broker/dealer authorisation number.
Mode of transport: Mode of transport used for the waste. Vehicle registration numbers must be recorded where transport was by road
Description of the waste: For each stream: the waste codes, physical form (e.g., gas, liquid, solid, etc.), weight declared and received, the Recovery (R) or Disposal (D) code for each stream and type and number of containers used for each stream. Loads, including those received by pipeline, are to be recorded as stated in Regulation 4(8).
Hazardous properties (as applicable): For hazardous streams, the Hazard Property (HP) code, Persistent Organic Pollutant (POP) status or chemical or biological components and concentration values must be stated. Additionally, for POPs, the name of the substance and concentration must be declared, unless a reason is given why not.
Handling (as applicable): Any special handling requirements for the waste.

Fees

Operators must pay the system fee (£26) the first time they are obligated and every year subsequently.

System outages

Where the system is inaccessible due to an outage, Natural Resources Wales must be notified (unless the operator has received an outage notification) and a written record of the specified information must be made. Written records must be entered into the system within seven days after it is restored.

Digitally excluded persons

Digitally excluded operators are exempt from digital waste tracking system obligations and must instead:

Apply for and receive a ‘digitally excluded operator number’ from Natural Resources Wales (The regulator will establish a list of these operators);
Make written records of specified information stated in Schedule 1 within two working days after receipt of the waste; and
Including the digitally excluded number in the above records.

Written records must be retained by digitally excluded operators for at least three years.

Enforcement and offences

Natural Resources Wales is required to monitor compliance with these regulations.

Offences are defined for breaches of these regulations. Civil sanctions including fixed monetary penalties of £1,000, variable monetary penalties and compliance notices may be used for enforcement.

Background

The Environment Act 2021 enables the introduction of a mandatory digital waste tracking system. Current, announced timescales for the introduction of this system across the UK are set out below:

Phase one:
- Scotland: Waste receivers will be required to use the system from 1 January 2027.
- England, Wales and Northern Ireland: Waste receivers will be required to use the system from 1 October 2026.

Phase two: Waste producers, carriers, brokers and dealers will be required to use the digital waste tracking system. This phase is expected to apply from April 2027 at the earliest. In the second phase the system will replace requirements for waste transfer notes and consignment notes.

Greenspace subscribers receive full monthly updates summarising new and forthcoming legislation applicable to their organisation.

To receive these free updates by email, please subscribe to our mailing list. For a free trial and demonstration of Greenspace or a quotation, please contact us by email.

Legal Updates

Back to Free Updates