Your CBDU registration is becoming a permit

Your upper tier waste carrier registration, the CBDU number on your quotes, is on its way out in England. New regulations made in July 2026 replace it with an environmental permit, and most of them come into force in July 2027.

You won't all switch on the same day. A firm with an existing registration only needs the permit from the day after its registration was due to expire. Since upper tier registrations are renewed every 3 years, the move is spread over 3 years, and the date that matters is the expiry date on yours.

Once you have a permit, its number has to appear on your advertising, and your drivers need to be able to show it if a vehicle is inspected.

There's nothing to apply for yet. GOV.UK's registration page still describes the current process, so keep renewing as normal and look up your expiry date.

The new rules apply to England only. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own regulators and rules.

Our guide, waste carrier registration is becoming a permit, has the detail and the links to the regulations.