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18 02 05* Chemicals consisting of or containing hazardous substances

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: “chemicals consisting of or containing hazardous substances”

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 02 (wastes from research, diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease involving animals).

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 02 06 Chemicals other than those mentioned in 18 02 05 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 02

18 02 01 Sharps (except 18 02 02) Not hazardous
18 02 02* Wastes whose collection and disposal is subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection Hazardous
18 02 03 Wastes whose collection and disposal is not subject to special requirements in order to prevent infection Not hazardous
18 02 06 Chemicals other than those mentioned in 18 02 05 Not hazardous
18 02 07* Cytotoxic and cytostatic medicines Hazardous
18 02 08 Medicines other than those mentioned in 18 02 07 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.