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11 01 05* Pickling acids

EWC / List of Waste code · Last checked 21 October 2026 · Applies across the UK (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland)

Hazardous Absolute hazardous entry

Official description: “pickling acids”

Where it sits: chapter 11 (wastes from chemical surface treatment and coating of metals and other materials; non-ferrous hydro-metallurgy), section 11 01 (wastes from chemical surface treatment and coating of metals and other materials (for example galvanic processes, zinc coating processes, pickling processes, etching, phosphating, alkaline degreasing, anodising)).

What the hazard status means

Waste that matches this description is always hazardous waste, whatever the amount of hazardous substances in it. You do not need to test it to decide whether it is hazardous, but you still need to know its hazardous properties to fill in the paperwork.

Using this code

Write the code on the paperwork when waste is passed on: a waste transfer note for non-hazardous waste, or a consignment note for hazardous waste (called special waste in Scotland).
Choose the code from where the waste came from first (the chapter), then what it is. If a load is mixed, you may need more than one code.
The waste must go to a site whose permit allows that code. A registered carrier can tell you which codes they accept: check a waste carrier.
Businesses have a duty of care to describe their waste correctly.

Other codes in section 11 01

11 01 06* Acids not otherwise specified Hazardous
11 01 07* Pickling bases Hazardous
11 01 08* Phosphatising sludges Hazardous
11 01 09* Sludges and filter cakes containing hazardous substances Hazardous
11 01 10 Sludges and filter cakes other than those mentioned in 11 01 09 Not hazardous
11 01 11* Aqueous rinsing liquids containing hazardous substances Hazardous
11 01 12 Aqueous rinsing liquids other than those mentioned in 11 01 11 Not hazardous
11 01 13* Degreasing wastes containing hazardous substances Hazardous
11 01 14 Degreasing wastes other than those mentioned in 11 01 13 Not hazardous
11 01 15* Eluate and sludges from membrane systems or ion exchange systems containing hazardous substances Hazardous
11 01 16* Saturated or spent ion exchange resins Hazardous
11 01 98* Other wastes containing hazardous substances Hazardous
11 01 99 Wastes not otherwise specified Not hazardous

This page explains the code in plain English. It is not a classification of your waste. The official List of Waste and the classification guidance decide which code applies, and you are responsible for the code you use.

11 01 05* Pickling acids

What the hazard status means

Using this code

Other codes in section 11 01

Official sources