U16 waste exemption: using depolluted end-of-life vehicles for parts
The U16 exemption allows you to reuse the parts from depolluted end-of-life vehicles in other vehicles.
Applies to England
Waste exemptions are changing and this will affect anyone who carries out a waste exemption activity. Defra’s consultation supplementary response document and its annexes explain the changes. This sets out which exemptions will be withdrawn or restricted. Changes to the exemptions are likely to start in 2025 but timescales have not been finalised.
Types of activity you can carry out
This includes when a small business wants to restore a classic car using parts from depolluted end-of-life vehicles (ELVs).
Types of activity you cannot carry out
You cannot:
- use waste other than those listed
- deal with ELVs or parts that have not been depolluted at an authorised treatment facility - this means a site operating under an environmental permit for vehicle depollution and dismantling
- remove parts from ELVs and sell them to other people
Types of waste you can use
The waste codes are listed in the List of Wastes (LoW) Regulations. You need to make sure your waste fits within the waste code and the description.
| Waste code | Type of waste |
|---|---|
| 160106 | End-of-life vehicles containing no liquids or other hazardous parts |
| 160122 | Non-hazardous parts from end-of-life vehicles only |
Amount of waste you can use
You can store and use:
- up to 2 depolluted ELVs at any one time
- up to 5 cubic metres of non-hazardous parts from depolluted ELVs at any one time
Key conditions
The key conditions are that:
- the waste must be stored in a secure place
- the waste must be stored on an impermeable surface
- the operation must be for the purpose of re-using the parts at the place where the exemption is registered
The waste you use must be suitable for purpose.
You should only use as much waste as is needed to achieve the reuse. If you use more waste than appears reasonable, we may consider this as disposal of waste.
U16 related exemptions
Register a U16 exemption
You need to register this exemption with the Environment Agency if you meet the requirements.
Definitions
Authorised treatment facility
A site operating under an environmental permit for vehicle depollution and dismantling.
Compost
A solid particulate material resulting from composting, which has been sanitised and stabilised and which benefits the soil when added to it.
Depolluted end-of-life vehicle
A waste motor vehicle from which all hazardous substances or components, including fuels, lubricating and hydraulic oils, coolants, brake fluids, batteries, air conditioning fluids and air bags have been removed.
Discharge consent
A consent issued under Chapter II of Part 3 of the Water Resources Act 1999 or the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010.
Digestate
Output from the treatment of organic and biodegradable waste.
End-of-life vehicle
Waste motor vehicle.
Finished goods
Goods that are ready for an end consumer to use without any more processing.
Hazardous waste
See hazardous waste.
Impermeable surface
A surface or pavement constructed and maintained to a standard sufficient to prevent the transmission of liquids beyond the surface.
Net rated thermal input
The rate at which fuel can be burned at the maximum continuous rating of the appliance multiplied by the net calorific value of the fuel, expressed as megawatts thermal.
Place of production
Place where waste is originally produced.
Plant tissue waste
Includes all materials of plant origin such as trees, shrubbery, branches with or without foliage, wood and vegetation.
Sealed drainage
A drainage system with an impermeable surface that makes sure that:
- no liquid will run off the surface apart from via the system
- except where they may be lawfully discharged, all liquids entering the system are collected in a sealed sump - in this case, any authorised outlet should be closed temporarily to allow the effluent to be collected and removed for treatment
Secondary containment
Means a bund or any other system for preventing waste that has leaked from its main container from escaping from the place where it is stored or treated.
Secure
A container, lagoon or other place is secure if:
- all reasonable precautions are taken to make sure the waste cannot escape
- members of the public are unable to gain access to the waste
Untreated wood
Wood that has not been treated with oils, tar oil preservatives, waterborne preservatives, organic based preservatives, boron and organo-metallic based preservatives, boron and halogenated flame retardants and surface treatments.
Updates to this page
Last updated 10 May 2024 + show all updates
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Updated the message at the start to say changes to exemptions are expected to start in 2025 but that timescales have not been finalised.
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We have added information about changes to this waste exemption that are likely to happen during 2024 to 2025.
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First published.