The presence of a dangerous substance in waste can result in a hazardous waste classification. Dangerous substances are listed in the Approved Supply List (ASL) the 8th edition of which came into force on 31 October 2005 through the Chemicals (Hazard Information and Packaging for Supply) (Amendment) Regulations 2005. It has an additional number of new entries, revisions, deletions and amendments in line with developing scientific knowledge.
Waste containing substances that have had their classification changed within the ASL, will also now be classed as hazardous waste if present at or above the relevant threshold level. New and revised entries in the ASL must be considered when assessing wastes in terms of their potential classification as hazardous wastes.
Environment Agency technical guidance document WM2 should be used in conjunction with the ASL to determine whether a waste is hazardous. The 7th edition of the ASL can still be used upto 1 November 2006.
The Agency is expecting producers and managers of hazardous waste to use this time, to the end of October, to carry out full assessments of the impacts of the 8th edition of the ASL on their waste streams, including testing where appropriate, and put in place plans to manage those waste streams. For problematic wastes the Agency provide a Problematic Waste Streams section on their site.