The consultation opened last week (4 March), and will run until 29 April.
Proposed changes include a programme of authorisation reviews, application of pre-acceptance audit requirements, standard storage times and additional assurance requirements for the alternative treatment of orange lidded sharps.
Guidance
The consultation is linked to new guidance designed to help operators understand and meet their compliance obligations and ensure waste is managed in a way that minimises pollution of the environment and harm to human health.
SEPA will also expect all healthcare waste producers to undertake pre-acceptance audit checks to ensure healthcare waste is correctly classified and segregated so it can be accepted at appropriate facilities and treated effectively and efficiently.
Once the final guidance is published, SEPA intends to undertake a series of authorisation reviews, working with operators, to identify and implement appropriate measures as necessary. This will be undertaken through agreed action plans and variations if required.
We need to understand if those in the industry have concerns about our approach
- Shona McConnel, SEPA senior manager
Treatment
Shona McConnell, SEPA senior manager, compliance and beyond, said: “Sustainable healthcare waste management is vital to protect communities, workers and our environment.
“Ensuring that the right healthcare waste goes to the right place for appropriate storage and treatment will mean it is treated effectively and efficiently. Our new guidance is designed to bring together all the information required so that is it clearer what is expected of those handling healthcare waste, and therefore easier for them to demonstrate they are compliant with their environmental authorisation.
“But we need to understand if those in the industry have concerns about our approach, or suggestions for how we go further, so we can ensure that the right support and guidance is available. So, I do encourage you to respond to our consultation by 29 April, so SEPA can make informed decisions on our next steps”.
HES
The consultation comes more than three years since the Lanarkshire-based Healthcare Environmental Services (HES) closed.
HES had been in a battle with the NHS and the government after the Environment Agency stepped in over concerns about storage and handling processes at the company which had significant contracts with the health service for clinical, hazardous and other wastes.
This came in light of widespread national media reports that the company was stockpiling human body parts and other dangerous wastes while it looked for incineration capacity, a stance which the government and the company has denied.
Useful links
The consultation is available on SEPA’s consultation hub.
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