Directive 96/59/EC, amended by Regulation (EC) No 596/2009, regulates the controlled disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls and polychlorinated terphenyls (PCB/PCT), the decontamination or disposal of equipment containing PCB/PCT and/or the disposal of used PCB/PCT in order to eliminate them completely. Necessary measures must be taken to ensure that, as soon as possible, used PCB/PCT are disposed of, and that PCB/PCT and equipment containing PCB/PCT are decontaminated or disposed of. Inventories must be compiled of equipment with PCB/PCT volumes of more than 5 dm3.
All undertakings that are engaged in the decontamination and/or the disposal of PCBs and/or equipment containing PCBs must obtain a waste management license/permit. All used PCBs and equipment containing PCBs which are subject to the above inventories must be transferred as soon as possible to licensed undertakings, and at the same time taking all necessary precautions to avoid the risk of fire. The topping up of transformers with PCB-containing oils and the separation of PCBs from other substances for the purpose of reusing the PCBs is prohibited. The Directive sets out the conditions under which transformers containing more than 0.05% by weight of PCB are to be decontaminated.
