Competence

Continuing Competence (Download .pdf)

Changes affecting Technical Competence arrangements

On 6 April 2008 the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2007 came into force in England and Wales.

The regulations in Northern Ireland and Scotland are unaffected by this change in waste management regulation. The Waste Management Licensing Regulations NORTHERN IRELAND (2003); and the Waste Management Licensing Regulations SCOTLAND (2003); remain in force. Operators who work across the border between Scotland and England, however, should be mindful of how the technical competence arrangements differ between countries and how the changes may affect them.

The pages listed below provide more detail and links to further information for managers to determine competence arrangements for current and future requirements in England and Wales.

Two complimentary ‘Schemes' have been approved by Defra/WAG: EUSSC ‘Competence Management Scheme', and the WAMITAB/CIWM Operator Competence Scheme. The pages referred herein provide guidance on the WAMITAB/CIWM Scheme.

You can ‘click' on the following links to obtain further information.

In the past, the only method to demonstrate technical competence was by gaining the relevant Certificate of Technical Competence, COTC, as issued by WAMITAB. These certificates (and their NVQ counterparts) still remain appropriate, however for managers who are seeking to demonstrate relevant competence in the future certain choices are available depending on the type of facility that is permitted, or yet to be permitted.

Landfill Operators:

If you operate a landfill you will need to provide evidence of achievement of your particular technical competence award before the Environment Agency issue the site's Permit.

Managers of Landfill Sites that take Non-Hazardous or Hazardous Waste will need to demonstrate competence in accordance with the relevant 12 unit NVQ (The COTC is an optional award in this instance).

Managers of Landfill Sites that take Inert Waste have a choice of demonstrating competence either by On-site Assessment (NVQ Units), or, Classroom-based Assessment to achieve the Vocationally Related Qualification, VRQ.

The flow chart should be read in conjunction with Table 1 Risk Tier classification for the site.

Facilities other than Landfill (e.g. Treatment/Transfer):

Managers that operate facilities other than Landfill sites may have choices in terms of the award type and assessment approach open to them to achieve an Operator Competence Certificate.

Referring to the Flow Chart will assist in determining where choices of award and assessment approach can be determined to suit your particular circumstances to achieve an Operator Competence Certificate. The flow chart should be read in conjunction with Table 1 Risk Tier classification for the site.