Is WTN App an official DEFRA product?

No. DEFRA is building the backend API for digital waste tracking. They expect private companies to build the tools that carriers actually use. WTN App prepares records for DEFRA readiness; live submission is not enabled in this release.

EWC stands for European Waste Catalogue (also called List of Waste or LoW codes). Every type of waste has a 6-digit code — like 17 09 04 for mixed construction and demolition waste. You need the right code on every waste transfer note.

Does it work without internet?

Yes. The app works fully offline. Each step of the chain is saved on your phone and syncs to your account when you're back in signal. Built for skips on rural sites with no reception.

Do all three parties need WTN App?

No. The producer or carrier creates the chain in WTN App and the next party gets an email with a public link the moment the previous step is signed. If your receiver isn't on the app yet, sign-and-share lets the carrier hand off alone — the receiver imports the chain from that link later and confirms receipt. Everyone gets the same DEFRA-ready record either way.

When does the DEFRA mandate start?

Waste receiving sites must use digital waste tracking from October 2026. Carriers follow from October 2027. But if you're transferring to a site that's already digital, you'll need to be ready by October 2026.

Can I use this for hazardous waste?

Yes. Hazardous EWC codes flag automatically. If a load mixes hazardous and non-hazardous lines, the chain auto-splits them into an HWCN and a WTN — both signed by all three parties, both stored under the same chain. Dangerous-goods fields are captured inline.

How long do I need to keep waste transfer notes?

By law, waste transfer notes must be kept for a minimum of 2 years (3 years for hazardous waste consignment notes). WTN App stores everything digitally so you never lose a note.

What if I'm not very good with technology?

WTN App is designed for people on building sites, not office workers. Each party only sees their own step of the chain — producer prep, carrier pickup, delivery handoff, or consignee receipt — and the next person gets an email when it's their turn. If you can use WhatsApp, you can use this. New drivers usually get the hang of it within one job. If anyone gets stuck, we help by email or phone, and the app has short in-line tips so nobody needs a training manual.

Can I try it before I pay?

Yes. You get 20 notes free when you sign up — no card required.

What happens to my old paper notes?

Keep them for the required retention period (2 years, 3 for hazardous). The digital mandate applies to new transfers going forward. Your existing paper records don't need to be digitised.

How is my data stored and is it GDPR compliant?

Customer and driver data is encrypted at rest and in transit, held on UK-hosted infrastructure, and access is per-user rather than shared logins. Notes are flagged for destruction when they pass the statutory retention window. You still need to register as a data controller with the ICO and run your own privacy notice — that part nobody can do for you — but the handling of WTN data itself is designed to keep you on the right side of UK GDPR.

Will it integrate with my existing fleet or accounting software?

Not yet. Today WTN App is a stand-alone tool: you create notes in the app and your existing fleet or accounting system stays separate. We hear the integration request a lot (Xero, Quickbooks, existing fleet management platforms) and it is on the roadmap, but we would rather be honest about what ships today than promise something that does not exist.

Hazardous Waste Consignment Notes: What UK Waste Carriers Need to Know

If you carry hazardous waste in England or Wales, a standard waste transfer note isn’t enough. You need a hazardous waste consignment note. The rules are stricter, the fines are higher, and the paperwork is more detailed.

Here’s what you need to know.

What is a consignment note?

A consignment note is the legally required document for every movement of hazardous waste. It replaces the standard WTN for hazardous materials and adds extra fields covering the nature of the hazard, how the waste is classified for transport, and who to call in an emergency.

The legal basis is the Hazardous Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2005, alongside Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

When do you need one?

You need a consignment note whenever you move waste that is classified as hazardous under the European Waste Catalogue. Hazardous waste codes are marked with an asterisk (*). For example, 17 06 01* is insulation materials containing asbestos.

Common types of hazardous waste that waste carriers encounter:

Waste	EWC code	Why it’s hazardous
Asbestos insulation	17 06 01*	Carcinogenic fibres
Lead paint waste	08 01 11*	Toxic heavy metal
Contaminated soil	17 05 03*	Chemical contamination
Waste oils	13 02 08*	Ecotoxic, flammable
Fluorescent tubes	20 01 21*	Mercury content
Solvents	14 06 03*	Flammable, toxic

If you’re not sure whether your waste is hazardous, check the EWC code. Use our free EWC code lookup. Hazardous codes are flagged clearly.

What information goes on a consignment note?

A consignment note has everything a standard WTN has, plus additional fields specific to hazardous waste:

Standard fields (same as a WTN):

Date and time of transfer
Producer/holder details (company, address, contact)
Carrier details (company, address, licence number)
Receiving facility details (company, address, permit number)
EWC code and written waste description
Quantity and container type

Additional hazardous fields:

Consignment note serial number: a unique reference for tracking
UN number: the United Nations classification for transport (e.g. UN1993 for flammable liquids)
Proper shipping name: the official transport name for the substance
Hazard class: the ADR transport hazard classification (1-9)
Packing group: I (high danger), II (medium), or III (low)
Physical form: solid, liquid, sludge, gas, powder, or mixed
Emergency contact: name and 24-hour phone number
Special handling instructions: any specific safety requirements

That’s a lot of fields to get right on a paper form. Our free consignment note generator helps capture these fields in a paper-equivalent PDF.

How long do you keep consignment notes?

3 years minimum. That’s one year longer than standard waste transfer notes (which require 2 years).

The clock starts from the date of the waste movement. If the note is dated 10 April 2026, you must keep it until at least 10 April 2029.

If you’re involved in any EA investigation or legal proceedings related to the waste, keep the note until the matter is fully resolved, even if the 3-year period has passed.

What happens if you get it wrong?

Consignment note failures carry heavier consequences than standard WTN issues:

Fines of up to £5,000 for each missing or incorrect consignment note
Criminal prosecution: hazardous waste offences are taken more seriously by the EA
Losing your waste carrier registration: the EA can revoke your registration for repeated non-compliance
Receiving site refusal: facilities that accept hazardous waste are audited closely and will refuse loads with missing or incorrect paperwork

The EA specifically targets hazardous waste movements during inspections. They know it’s the area where carriers most often cut corners.

Consignment notes and DEFRA digital tracking

When DEFRA’s digital waste tracking goes live, hazardous waste consignment notes will be fully digital. The system will validate UN numbers, hazard classes, and EWC codes in real time. No more hoping a handwritten form is legible enough.

WTN App supports hazardous waste workflows. The app flags hazardous EWC codes, captures HWCN and dangerous-goods fields, and keeps the signed record with the movement.

Hazardous waste paperwork is where most carriers trip up. Get it right and you’re protected. Get it wrong and the consequences are real. If you need to generate a consignment note right now, use our free generator. No signup required.