Agency quashes edoc myths

The Environment Agency launched the electronic duty of care (edoc) system in January as an alternative to the paper waste transfer note. As records of waste transfers can be kept in various forms, not just in the form of a waste transfer note, edoc provides a paper-free and online alternative to try and make it easier for people to record their waste transfer details, although hazardous waste consignments cannot be recorded on the system.

However, the Environment Agency has had to quash certain "myths" that have arisen around edoc since its establishment. As a result, the Environment Agency have reiterated that:

• it is free to register for edoc and to use it;
• if you use edoc, you do not need to keep paper copies as the transfer note will be available online;
• the Environment Agency will only audit online transfer notes to check for compliance with the duty of care after they have notified the user that they want to see their waste transfer records - which is the same with paper copies;
• only those involved in the transfer of your waste can access data in edoc, although trusted organisations will be able to see anonymous waste transfer records.

Victoria Vaughan-Williams, who works on the edoc team at the Environment Agency, said: "Since the launch in January this year, more than 1,400 businesses from a variety of different sectors have registered to use the new edoc system."

"We continue to receive positive feedback about how straightforward the edoc system is to use. Having attended a number of recent industry events we’re also finding we are regularly being asked the same questions. There are some misconceptions out there about how the system works. We want to dispel these myths, and highlight just how simple and effective edoc really is and how it can benefit businesses across the UK."

In other news, the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee has shown its support for edoc, and has called on the Government to set a deadline for edoc to become the mandatory system for recording waste transfers.