Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): exceptions to the ban

PCBs are banned. You must dispose of PCBs, and either decontaminate or dispose of equipment or material that contains them as soon as possible - unless they’re covered by an exception.

Research or disposal

The ban does not apply to PCBs held:

• for research and analysis into the properties of PCBs
• as part of a process to dispose of PCBs (for example at a hazardous waste disposal site) or a process to remove (‘decontaminate’) PCBs from equipment
  
  

Transformers

You can hold transformers until the end of their useful life if they contain fluid of:

• less than 0.005% PCBs by weight, or 
• less than 0.05 litres by volume

You must decontaminate or dispose of the transformer as soon as possible after the end of its useful life.

You can hold transformers until 31 December 2025 if they contain fluid of:

• more than 0.005% but not more than 0.05% by weight of PCBs, and 
• more than 0.05 litres by volume

You must decontaminate or dispose of the transformer as soon as possible after this deadline.

If your transformer contains more than 0.05% of PCBs by weight, you must decontaminate or dispose of it.

Small components of equipment

You can continue to use small pieces of equipment that contain PCBs if both of the following apply:

• they’re not contaminated equipment
• they’re components of larger pieces of equipment which are themselves not contaminated equipment

The exception for smaller equipment is meant to avoid you having to destroy or damage a large piece of equipment to remove the PCBs contained in a small component.

The exception does not apply if it is practical for you to remove the smaller component and get rid of the PCBs without damaging the larger machine.