Guidance

T11 waste exemption: repairing or refurbishing waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)

The T11 exemption allows you to repair, refurbish or dismantle various types of WEEE so that the whole WEEE item or any parts can be reused for their original purpose or recovered.

Applies to England

Types of activity you can carry out

These include:

  • a business collecting waste computers from householders and businesses that no longer want them
  • a reclamation group receiving waste electrical goods collected by the local authority from businesses and households

Both sort out the waste equipment into those that can be repaired and those that cannot. Once sorted they repair some items and dismantle the rest to be reused as parts.

Types of activity you cannot carry out

You cannot:

  • de-gas ozone depleting substances
  • treat WEEE to be disposed of to landfill or incinerated
  • mix hazardous waste with other hazardous or non-hazardous waste
  • accept or treat fluorescent light bulbs or tubes

Types of waste you can treat

The waste codes are listed in the List of Wastes (LoW) Regulations. You need to make sure your waste fits within the relevant waste code and description.

Waste code Type of waste
160211* WEEE containing chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
160213* WEEE containing hazardous substances or components other than polychlorinated biphenyls, CFC, HCFC or HFC, or free asbestos. For example, a TV monitor containing a cathode ray tube
160214 WEEE not containing hazardous substances or components
160216 Non hazardous components removed from discarded equipment
200123* WEEE containing CFCs
200135* WEEE containing hazardous components other than fluorescent tubes and other mercury containing waste or CFCs
200136 WEEE not containing hazardous substances or components

Amount of waste you can treat

You can store or treat up to 1,000 tonnes over any 12-month period.

Key conditions

The key conditions are:

  • you must use the best available treatment, recovery and recycling techniques (BATRRT) when treating the waste – see BATRRT guidance for more information
  • the place where WEEE is stored or treated should have an impermeable surface with facilities for collecting spillages and, where appropriate, decanters and cleanser-degreasers
  • the area where WEEE is stored should have a weatherproof covering – a covered container or roofed building
  • whole and dismantled WEEE components should be stored appropriately to prevent damage which could stop them being reused or pose a risk to the environment
  • hazardous waste, such as batteries, should be stored in suitable containers
  • the purpose must be to ensure that the WEEE is put back to use as whole equipment if possible. If not possible, equipment can be taken apart so that the components can be used again. If that is not possible, equipment can be taken apart so the materials can be recycled

S2 – storing waste in a secure place

Register a T11 exemption

You need to register this exemption with the Environment Agency if you meet the requirements.

There is a charge of £1,221 for the 3-year period, for this exemption only.

You cannot register this exemption online - you need to use form WEEEX001.

If you want to treat more than the amount of waste allowed under this exemption, you must apply for an environmental permit.

Definitions

Impermeable surface – a surface or pavement constructed and maintained to a standard that can prevent liquids seeping beyond the surface.

Updates to this page

Published 28 April 2014
Last updated 3 April 2018 + show all updates
  1. Updated with the new charge from 1 April 2018 of £1,221 to register the T11 exemption for 3 years.

  2. First published.

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