These regulations implement the EC Directive 96/59/EC on the disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated terphenyls (PCB/PCT) and are designed to ensure the elimination of PCBs in England and Wales.
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) have long been recognised as posing a threat to the environment and human health. An international agreement in 1986 banned most uses, with the agreement to phase out remaining uses by 2000. They are resistant to acids and bases as well as to heat and are good electrical insulators. They are chemically stable, fire resistant and don't easily generate a vapour and were used as an insulating material in electric equipment such as transformers and capacitors, and in heat transfer fluids and in lubricants.
PCBs have been used in wide range of products such as plasticizers, surface coatings, inks, adhesives, flame-retardants, paints, and carbonless duplicating paper.
Contaminated equipment means any equipment (including any transformer, capacitor or receptacle containing residual stocks) which:
Other than one which contains a total volume of PCBs not exceeding 5dm3; and for the purposes of this definition:
