New NI Legislation on PCB Disposal
New NI Legislation on PCB Disposal: What You Need to Know (Effective 17 June 2025)
Who is affected?
Owners/operators of equipment that contains PCBs—commonly older transformers and capacitors (typically pre-1987), and certain heat-exchange/insulating fluids.
What changed?
Scope threshold: equipment is in scope if it contains more than 0.005% PCBs by weight and has a total volume of at least 0.05 dm³ (50 ml).
Effective date: 17 June 2025.
Key deadlines
Register qualifying equipment with NIEA by 31 October 2025.
Remove qualifying equipment from use by 31 December 2025.
Ongoing obligations
Annual registration of relevant equipment via DAERA’s PCB registration database.
Follow DAERA guidance and fee rules for handling, transport, and disposal.
Why PCBs matter
PCBs were widely used for heat resistance and insulation but were banned in 1986 due to environmental persistence and health risks.
How to comply (step-by-step)
Audit your equipment: identify any legacy transformers, capacitors, or fluids that may contain PCBs.
Check thresholds: confirm whether PCB content is > 0.005% and volume ≥ 50 ml.
Register by 31 Oct 2025: add each in-scope item to the NIEA/DAERA PCB database.
Plan decommissioning: arrange removal from use by 31 Dec 2025 with licensed contractors.
Keep records up to date: maintain documentation and complete annual registrations.
Contacts & support
NIEA Chemicals Compliance Team
Email: NIEAChemicals@daera-ni.gov.uk
Quick checklist
✅ Identified all equipment that may contain PCBs
✅ Tested/verified PCB content and volume
✅ Registered qualifying items by 31 Oct 2025
✅ Booked safe removal from use by 31 Dec 2025
✅ Set reminders for annual registration
