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18 01 08* Cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines

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

Hazardous Mirror entry (hazardous side)

Official description: “cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines”

Where it sits: chapter 18 (wastes from human or animal health care and/or related research (except kitchen and restaurant wastes not arising from immediate health care)), section 18 01 (wastes from natal care, diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease in humans).

In plain English

Cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines from human healthcare.

What the hazard status means

This is one half of a “mirror” pair. Use this hazardous code if the waste contains hazardous substances above the thresholds, or has hazardous properties. You must assess the waste first, usually by knowing exactly what it is made of or by sampling and testing it.

Its mirror entry

18 01 09 Medicines other than those mentioned in 18 01 08 Not hazardous

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 18 01

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.