EA permit check:
search the environmental permit register
Check whether a waste site holds a valid environmental permit on the EA register. Part of your legal duty of care before transferring waste, free, no account needed.
Search the EA Waste Operations Register
Find environmental permits by operator name or town. Live from the Environment Agency.
How to use this tool
- Search by the operator or site name, or switch to Town to see every permitted site in an area.
- Check the permit number, site type and address match the site your waste is going to.
- Record the destination site and permit on your Waste Transfer Note.
Data comes from the Environment Agency public register (England). A listing shows a permit was issued; it does not confirm current compliance. Not legal advice.
Understanding permits
What is an environmental
permit?
An environmental permit is a legal authorisation issued by the Environment Agency. It allows a site to accept, store, treat, or dispose of waste under specific conditions set out in the permit.
Legal requirement
Under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016, any site carrying out regulated waste operations must hold the correct environmental permit. Operating without one is a criminal offence.
Your duty of care
Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 places a duty of care on anyone who produces, carries, or receives waste. You must check that the receiving site is properly permitted.
Consequences of non-compliance
Transferring waste to an unpermitted site can result in prosecution and unlimited fines. Ignorance is not a defence — the law expects you to check before you transfer.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
How do I check if a waste site is licensed?
Use the search tool on this page to look up any waste site by name or town. We check the Environment Agency Waste Operations register in real time and display the permit details instantly. You can also search the EA public register directly at environment.data.gov.uk.
What is an environmental permit?
An environmental permit is issued by the Environment Agency under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016. It authorises a site to carry out certain waste operations such as accepting, storing, treating, or disposing of waste. Operating without the correct permit is a criminal offence.
Can I take waste to a site without a permit?
No. Under your duty of care (Section 34, Environmental Protection Act 1990), you must ensure waste is only transferred to authorised persons at permitted sites. Sending waste to an unpermitted site can result in prosecution and unlimited fines, even if you did not know the site was unlicensed.
Does the EA permit register cover Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland?
No. The Environment Agency register covers England only. Sites in Wales are permitted by Natural Resources Wales, in Scotland by SEPA, and in Northern Ireland by NIEA, each of which keeps its own public register. Check the regulator for the country where the site is located.
What does an environmental permit number look like?
EA permit references are usually letters followed by numbers (for example, EPR/AB1234CD). Search by permit holder name or town here, then compare the permit number, holder name and site address with the details the site or your carrier gave you, and record them on your waste transfer note.
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Verified the site? Now document the transfer.
Every waste transfer requires a signed Waste Transfer Note. QWTN makes it free and takes under two minutes. No account required for a single note.