The suspension relates to Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) weights reporting, following recently updated guidance issued by the EA.
Wastecare said it was informed of the suspension last Wednesday, despite an audit of the site having taken place in November 2025, after which the company says it was not made aware of any issues that could affect its approval.
The company also said it received correspondence from the EA at the beginning of April which appeared to indicate that the audit process had been completed.
Wastecare has since submitted further data to the regulator, which is currently being reviewed.
Peter Hunt, Managing Director of Wastecare Group, explained: “We expect to get the issue resolved. The approval is simply suspended while the data we submitted is being checked.”
The Normanton facility has held AATF approval since 2005, marking the first time its approval has been suspended.
Listed as a large AATF, the site produces more than 400 tonnes of WEEE evidence, including batteries, a week, amounting to 20,000 tonnes annually.
WEEE collections to continue
Wastecare said business and local authority WEEE collections will continue wherever possible while the EA reviews the submitted data.
The company said loads will be redirected to the nearest Wastecare regional depot during the suspension period.
Should this not be possible, material will be diverted to secondary AATF facilities to ensure WEEE evidence can still be issued in line with EA guidance.
Hunt added: “There is currently no impact to our services. Our permit has not been affected, only our ability to raise evidence with the Environment Agency.
“Material will be moved to a different facility while we wait for the decision.”
No timeline has yet been provided by the EA for when its review will be completed.
Wastecare currently manages the recycling of more than 1,000 waste streams across commercial and industrial sectors, including WEEE collection and treatment.
Its Normanton site serves as the company’s head office and specialises in WEEE collection, recycling and reuse, including product testing, data wiping and dismantling.
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