Anyone hiring a rubbish removal firm in England can check its registration today, but the government plans to replace that registration system. This guide summarises Defra’s policy paper “Reforming the waste carrier, broker and dealer system” (published 22 August 2025) and the current GOV.UK registration page. It covers England only. The paper describes plans, not rules that apply now, and many details, including fees and volume thresholds, are still to be consulted on. This guide is general information, not legal advice.

The system today

GOV.UK says a business must register if it transports waste (a carrier), buys, sells or disposes of waste (a dealer) or arranges for someone else to do so (a broker), and that an unlimited fine is possible for not registering. Registration is usually free for a business that only transports waste it produces itself. Otherwise the fee is £191.02, and an upper tier registration must be renewed every 3 years for £130.25. Lower tier registrations do not need renewing. Details of how to check a carrier are in the guide to checking a waste carrier, and the tiers are explained in waste carrier licences explained.

Why the government wants change

Defra’s paper says the current registration system makes it hard for regulators to target high-risk waste operators. Enforcement options are limited, the Environment Agency can refuse or revoke a registration only if set criteria are met, and the system does not distinguish between small and large operators or the risk of the waste handled. As a result, the paper says, compliance and enforcement work has become reactive rather than proactive. The reforms are presented as a way to give stronger powers against waste crime and to join the regime up with other waste regulation.

New terms and permits

The paper says the terminology will be simplified to “waste controllers” and “waste transporters”. Transporters move waste between locations on the instruction of a controller, without input on its end destination or classification, and examples given include hauliers, contractors and delivery drivers. Controllers organise collection, transport or end destination, arrange recovery or disposal for others, or buy or sell waste, including brokers, dealers, consultants and waste sites. A “controller-transporter” does both, and the paper names skip companies and waste collection companies as examples.

Existing registrations are to be replaced by a “standard rules” environmental permit or a registered exemption. There will be three permit types: controller only, transporter only, and combined controller-transporter. Permits will be tiered by scale of operation and type of waste, with four levels of risk. Further detail is to come in a subsequent Environment Agency consultation.

What it means for householders and waste producers

The paper says waste producers remain subject to the waste duty of care and will not need a permit or registered exemption as long as they pass waste to a permitted waste site, a permitted controller or controller-transporter, or let a controller-permit holder make arrangements on their behalf. If waste is passed to an operator that holds only a transporter permit, the producer would need a registered exemption or a controller permit. Producers transporting their own waste, if it is not construction, demolition or hazardous waste and is under a certain volume, would need to register an exemption. A plumber taking away old radiators after fitting new ones is given as an example of someone removing third-party waste, who would need a lower-level permit.

Competence checks and advertising

Permit holders and nominated persons will have to show technical competence, either by individual assessment (an e-learning course plus an in-person test) or through a workplace-based route. Permits will require the operator to be a fit legal operator, and the regulator will be able to suspend or revoke permits, including where competence or behaviour is a repeated problem. Anyone applying in the first year of the new system will need to provide proof of competence within one year of go-live.

The paper says it will be a permit condition that permit numbers are displayed on advertising, and that numbers are available to regulators or local authorities on inspection of a vehicle. This is intended to help the Environment Agency identify incorrect or fraudulent numbers in advertising. The detail will be in the standard rules consultation.

Timing and transition

The paper gives no go-live date. It says that once the new system is live, existing upper tier registrants must apply for a permit, or register an exemption if applicable, when their registration comes up for renewal, creating a staggered approach over three years. Lower tier registrants who need an exemption or permit must apply within 12 months of go-live, after which lower tier registrations cease. New applicants must use the new system from go-live. The paper also says the duty of care legislation and code of practice will be amended to reflect the reforms and digital waste tracking, described in the guide to digital waste tracking.

FAQs

Do I need to do anything as a householder now?

Nothing changes from the policy paper alone. The current registration rules still apply, and the guide to checking a carrier explains how to search the public register.

Will fees rise under the new system?

The paper says charges will follow the environmental permitting charging framework, with an application fee and a subsistence fee for compliance monitoring, but the levels are to be consulted on separately.

Does this apply in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?

No. The paper applies to England and refers to working with the devolved governments to reduce the risk of differences between the nations.

The bottom line

Defra’s policy paper says England will move from registering waste carriers, brokers and dealers to a system of standard-rules permits and registered exemptions, with background checks, technical competence tests and permit numbers on advertising. The plans have no go-live date yet, and fees and volume thresholds are still to be consulted on. Until then, registration under the current system still applies. This is general information, not legal advice.

Sources

This guide draws on the following primary sources, current as of 25 September 2026:

• Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, “Reforming the waste carrier, broker and dealer system” (published 22 August 2025), GOV.UK
• GOV.UK, “Register or renew as a waste carrier, broker or dealer”

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