Digital Waste Tracking in Scotland and Northern Ireland: 1 January 2027
Receiving sites in Scotland must report digitally from 1 January 2027, and Defra's guidance gives the same date for Northern Ireland. Here is who is covered, what it costs and how to prepare.
Where each nation stands
| Nation | Phase 1: receiving sites | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| England and Wales | Mandatory since 1 October 2026 | Permitted or licensed sites report receipts digitally |
| Scotland | Mandatory from 1 January 2027 | Digital Waste Tracking (Scotland) Regulations 2026, per SEPA |
| Northern Ireland | Defra guidance: 1 January 2027 | Check NIEA or DAERA for the legal position |
Dates checked 12 October 2026 against GOV.UK and SEPA.
Who it applies to, and who it does not yet
Phase 1 applies to permitted facilities that receive controlled waste. In Scotland, SEPA lists waste transfer stations, scrap yards, landfills, energy from waste facilities and composting sites. It does not apply to producers or, yet, to carriers, and SEPA says the new regulations do not immediately remove or change existing duty of care or reporting requirements.
Carriers and brokers are the planned next phase. See digital waste tracking for carriers, brokers and dealers.
What receiving sites should do now
Register
Register for the Defra service ahead of the mandatory date. The annual charge is £26.
Choose software
Report through software that connects to the Receipt of Waste API, or use Defra's spreadsheet. AxiWaste is on Defra's list.
Code and weigh
Every receipt needs an EWC code and a weight. Build a controlled catalogue and capture weights digitally.
Check readiness
Score your operation in two minutes with the readiness check.
Questions, answered
When does Digital Waste Tracking become mandatory in Scotland?
Phase 1 comes into force in Scotland on 1 January 2027, according to SEPA. It applies to permitted facilities that receive controlled waste.
When does it become mandatory in Northern Ireland?
Defra's guidance gives 1 January 2027 for Northern Ireland, the same date as Scotland. Earlier material grouped Northern Ireland with England and Wales for October 2026, so check the position with NIEA or DAERA before relying on a date.
Who has to report first in Scotland?
Permitted facilities receiving controlled waste, such as waste transfer stations, scrap yards, landfills, energy from waste facilities and composting sites. SEPA says former exempt sites and new registration-level authorisations are not included in phase 1.
What does registration cost?
SEPA says there is an upfront annual charge of £26 covering 12 months of rolling access, payable once the service becomes mandatory. Digitally excluded persons do not pay it.
Can I use AxiWaste in Scotland or Northern Ireland?
Yes. AxiWaste submits to Defra's Receipt of Waste API and is listed by Defra as "Axithorn | Axiwaste", so it can be used by receiving sites that need software-based reporting.
Prepare for 1 January 2027
Twenty minutes to see how AxiWaste handles EWC coding, weights and Defra submission for receiving sites.