Scottish Government consultation on the management and disposal of PCBs in Scotland
25 August 2020
Article: 54/3405
The management and disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Scotland is currently carried out in-line with the Environmental Protection (Disposal of Polychlorinated Biphenyls and other Dangerous Substances) (Scotland) Regulations 2000. Following a recast of the EU legislation on Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation (EU) 2019/1021, it is necessary to comply with a lower threshold for PCB contamination, with 0.005% PCBs by weight and a volume of 0.05 dm3 the new maximum acceptable level. Any equipment which does not comply with the new thresholds is required to be removed from use by 31 December 2025 under EU law.
The proposed regulations aim to ensure the protection of human health and the environment from potential long-term and serious consequences associated with uncontrolled dispersive releases of PCBs from ageing electrical equipment. The consultation is open until 16 August 2020 and responses can be completed online.