Wales Defers Mandatory Digital Waste Tracking Until April 2026
The Welsh Government, alongside the UK Government, Scottish Government, and Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, has announced a delay to the implementation of mandatory digital waste tracking, pushing the start date from April 2025 to April 2026.
The decision follows extensive industry feedback highlighting challenges associated with the original timeline. Concerns raised by stakeholders and delivery partners indicated that the system required further refinement to ensure its effectiveness, prompting a reassessment of project delivery plans.
Digital waste tracking aims to provide a more transparent, efficient, and standardised approach to monitoring waste movements across the UK. The system is intended to replace existing paper-based and fragmented reporting methods, improving data accuracy and supporting efforts to transition towards a circular economy. However, industry representatives have expressed concerns over the readiness of the IT infrastructure and the need for additional testing before full implementation.
Government officials emphasised that the delay will allow for a more comprehensive testing phase, ensuring that the service meets the needs of all stakeholders. While an updated timeline will be confirmed by May 2025, officials have reaffirmed their commitment to launching a fully operational digital waste tracking system by April 2026.