SIC Codes (2007) Recovery & Disposal Codes Hazard Codes

Hazard Property Codes (HP Codes)

Waste hazard codes are classifications used to identify hazardous waste based on its properties, with the most common being the HP codes (HP1-HP15) that define hazards like explosive, toxic, or corrosive.

For more information, the Environment Agency have published a guide which you can access here: Waste Classification - Guidance on the classification and assessment of waste

HP1 - Explosive

Waste which is capable by chemical reaction of producing gas at such a temperature and pressure and at such a speed as to cause damage to the surroundings. Pyrotechnic waste, explosive organic peroxide waste and explosive self-reactive waste is included.

HP2 - Oxidizing

Waste which may, generally by providing oxygen, cause or contribute to the combustion of other materials.

HP3 - Flammable

  • Flammable liquid waste: liquid waste having a flash point below 60°C or waste gas oil, diesel and light heating oils having a flash point > 55°C and < 75°C.
  • Flammable pyrophoric liquid and solid waste: solid or liquid waste which, even in small quantities, is liable to ignite within five minutes after coming into contact with air.
  • Flammable solid waste: solid waste which is readily combustible or may cause or contribute to fire through friction.
  • Flammable gaseous waste: gaseous waste which is flammable in air at 20°C and a standard pressure of 101.3 kPa.
  • Water reactive waste: waste which, in contact with water, emits flammable gases in dangerous quantities.
  • Other flammable waste: flammable aerosols, flammable self-heating waste, flammable organic peroxides and flammable self-reactive waste.

HP4 - Irritant

  • Waste which on application can cause skin irritation or damage to the eye.
  • Hazards HP 4 and HP 8 are linked because they refer to the potential for harm or damage to tissue at different levels of severity. See C8 for further details.
  • Hazardous wastes containing irritant substances will only display irritant properties. Hazardous wastes containing corrosive substances can display either corrosive or irritant properties dependent upon concentration.
  • The mechanical irritation produced by some substances, for example mineral wool, is not included within the definition of HP 4.

HP5 - Specific Target Organ Toxicity (STOT)/Aspiration Toxicity

Waste which can cause specific target organ toxicity either from a single or repeated exposure, or which cause acute toxic effects following aspiration.

HP6 - Acute Toxicity

Waste which can cause acute toxic effects following oral or dermal administration, or inhalation exposure.

HP7 - Carcinogenic

Waste which induces cancer or increase its incidence.

HP8 - Corrosive

Waste which on application, can cause skin corrosion.

HP9 - Infectious

Waste containing viable micro-organisms or their toxins which are known or reliably believed to cause disease in man or other living organisms.

HP10 - Toxic for Reproduction

Waste which has adverse effects on sexual function and fertility in adult males and females, as well as developmental toxicity in the offspring.

HP11 - Mutagenic

Waste which may cause a mutation, that is a permanent change in the amount or structure of the genetic material in a cell.

HP12 - Release of an Acute Toxic Gas

Waste which releases acute toxic gases (Acute Tox. 1, 2 or 3) in contact with water or an acid.

HP13 - Sensitizing

Waste which contains one or more substances known to cause sensitising effects to the skin or the respiratory organs.

HP14 - Ecotoxic

Waste which presents or may present immediate or delayed risks for one or more sectors of the environment.

HP15 - Other

Waste capable of exhibiting a hazardous property listed above not directly displayed by the original waste.