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Worrying Number Ignoring Continuing Competence Deadline, Says CIWM

4 January 2012

CIWM has issued a warning over the worrying number of waste treatment and metals recycling facilities in England and Wales that are risking criminal enforcement action by ignoring the fast approaching Continuing Competence deadline

An assessment has indicated that there could be a significant shortfall - as much as 75 percent for some types of facilities - in the number of people who have taken the Continuing Competence test compared with the number of sites.

By 29th February 2012, all Technically Competent managers running a waste facility that is permitted by the Environment Agency (EA) who have previously relied on a pre-2009 COTC, were "deemed competent" or were assessed by the Environment Agency (EA), must show that they have kept their industry knowledge up to date.

Failure to do so is to risk the EA will no longer accepting them as technically competent and could result in some sites being unable to operate legally under their permit.

Steve Eland, the EA's environment & business senior advisor from the Environment Agency, said: "We are concerned at the low level of take up of the continuing competence test. As a result we are now stepping up our compliance activity to monitor uptake by operators. We will provide operators with advice and guidance on how to comply and will take enforcement action against those who are unwilling to comply with the requirements by 29th February 2012."

CIWM and other sector bodies are urging those who have yet to take the test to book a place now, while availability is still good. Steve Lee, CIWM's chief executive, explains: "There is no excuse for anyone to miss the deadline; the half-hour test can be booked in advance through WAMITAB and there are test centres across the UK. This sector has worked hard to improve its professionalism and image and should not be let down by those who are willing to risk criminal proceedings rather than demonstrate that they have kept their knowledge up to date."

Speaking for the metals sector, Howard Bluck, head of environment at British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA), said: "Since January 2011, we have repeatedly reminded BMRA members that require an operator competence assessment to make the necessary preparations in good time and not leave things 'to the last minute'. Also we have developed a refresher training course to help candidates ready themselves for the assessments. Despite this, we remain concerned that come the 29th February 2012, there will be a significant number of operators across the metals recycling sector who have failed to meet their competence obligations."

More information can be found at www.wamitab.org.uk/pg/continuing-competence-new and anyone who is unsure whether or how they are affected by this deadline should check with WAMITAB (janet.western@wamitab.org.uk) as soon as possible.

Darrel Moore