How do I demonstrate Operator Competence?

To demonstrate competence, legal waste operators join and comply with the requirements of one of two schemes approved by Defra and the Welsh Government for use in England and Wales.

One of these approved schemes is the CIWM (WAMITAB) Operator Competence Scheme, which requires operators to gain a primary competence qualification, units and/or Environmental Permitting Operators Certificate (EPOC) (depending on risk level shown in the risk tier tables) and then pass a Continuing Competence assessment every two years to demonstrate their technical competence is being kept up to date.

In Northern Ireland, the current waste management licensing and permitting regime requires operators to demonstrate technical competence by obtaining the relevant primary competence qualification (listed in the risk tier table for Northern Ireland) and then pass a Continuing Competence assessment every two years to ensure their technical competence remains up to date.

To assist operators in understanding these requirements in more detail, the button below provides access to the CIWM (WAMITAB) Operator Competence Scheme document.