Laws and Regulation for Care Home Waste
| Legislation / Guidance | What this means for a care home |
|---|---|
| Environmental Protection Act 1990 – Section 34 | Creates the statutory waste duty of care. The home must prevent waste causing harm, keep it secure and use authorised waste contractors. |
| Controlled Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2012 | Provides important definitions and controls for healthcare, clinical and offensive waste. |
| Hazardous Waste Regulations / hazardous-waste requirements | Apply where the home produces hazardous waste such as certain clinical waste, medicines, chemicals, batteries and other hazardous materials. |
| Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 | Employers must protect staff and others from risks associated with waste handling. |
| COSHH Regulations 2002 | Relevant where waste presents risks from hazardous substances, chemicals, biological agents, etc. |
| Carriage of Dangerous Goods regulsations | Can apply when hazardous/clinical waste is transported, particularly infectious waste and certain pharmaceutical/chemical wastes. HSE specifically identifies transport legislation as part of healthcare-waste management. |
| CQC regulations and requirements | Waste arrangements form part of infection prevention and control and safe care. CQC expects effective waste-management processes that protect residents from infection or injury. |
| HTM 07-01 – Safe and Sustainable Management of Healthcare Waste | The principal technical guidance for healthcare waste, covering classification, segregation, storage, packaging, transport, treatment and disposal in health and care settings. |
