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