Firms will need to keep accurate records of how they dispose of IT equipment or they could face prosecution under new hazardous waste regulations that come into force this weekend. Experts said firms should invest in product lifecycle management (PLM) processes and software tools to help compliance with the many forthcoming green IT laws.

The UK’s Hazardous Waste Register will be extended on 16 July to include chemicals found in IT equipment. New waste acceptance criteria (WAC) for landfill sites will also require firms to liaise with their waste contractor and keep a record of what dangerous material their waste contains so that it can be disposed of safely.

Firms with premises producing over 200kg per year of hazardous waste must register with the Environment Agency or risk their waste contractors refusing to dispose of their rubbish.

A spokesman for the agency said IT hardware would qualify many firms as producers of hazardous material for the first time. He advised firms to contact the agency or visit its web site to check their obligations.

Nigel Montgomery of AMR Research said, “Many firms produce too little dangerous waste to be affected by the new rules.” But he added that environmental regulations due in 2006, like the Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment Directive, meant that IT managers should consider investing in PLM software.

PLM tools’ ability to monitor product development cycles and the eventual retirement of kit could give firms an audit trail to help prove their IT assets are compliant.