EWC chapter 08: waste paints, coatings, adhesives and printing inks codes explained
Last updated 18 September 2026
In short
EWC chapter 08 covers wastes from the manufacture, formulation, supply and use of coatings (paints, varnishes and vitreous enamels), adhesives, sealants and printing inks. It contains 38 six-digit codes across 5 subcategories (08 01 to 08 05), of which 17 are hazardous. The most commonly used codes are 08 01 11* (solvent-based paint waste), 08 01 12 (non-hazardous paint waste), 08 03 17* (waste printing toner), 08 04 09* (solvent-based adhesive waste), and 08 05 01* (waste isocyanates).
From solvent-based paints used by decorators and auto body shops to printing inks, industrial adhesives and spray coatings, chapter 08 of the European Waste Catalogue covers the waste streams produced by one of the UK's most widespread industrial activities. Getting the right EWC code determines whether you need a standard waste transfer note or a hazardous waste consignment note — and who can legally carry it.
What is EWC chapter 08?
The chapter applies to the full lifecycle of these materials — from their manufacture and formulation through to end-use by businesses. Painters, decorators, auto body shops, print works, furniture manufacturers, construction firms and any business applying or processing coatings, inks or adhesives will generate waste that falls into chapter 08. The chapter covers both the bulk waste streams (waste paint, waste adhesive) and the process residues (sludges, aqueous washing waters, toner cartridges).
What subcategories does chapter 08 contain?
Chapter 08 has 5 subcategories. The table below shows each one, its scope, and how many codes it contains.
| Subcategory | Description | Total codes | Hazardous codes | Typical sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08 01 | Wastes from MFSU and removal of paint and varnish | 12 | 6 | Decorators, auto body shops, paint manufacturers, strip-and-recoat contractors |
| 08 02 | Wastes from MFSU of other coatings (including ceramic materials) | 4 | 0 | Ceramic and powder-coating manufacturers, vitreous enamel producers |
| 08 03 | Wastes from MFSU of printing inks | 11 | 5 | Commercial printers, newspaper presses, packaging printers, office laser printers |
| 08 04 | Wastes from MFSU of adhesives and sealants (including waterproofing products) | 10 | 5 | Construction, automotive manufacturing, woodworking, packaging, bookbinding |
| 08 05 | Wastes not otherwise specified in 08 | 1 | 1 | Two-pack paint users, foam insulation applicators, polyurethane coating contractors |
What are the most commonly used EWC chapter 08 codes?
| EWC code | Description | Hazardous? | Typical example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 08 01 11* | Waste paint and varnish containing organic solvents or other hazardous substances | Yes * | Solvent-based gloss, oil-based undercoat, spray paint, chlorinated rubber paint |
| 08 01 12 | Waste paint and varnish other than those mentioned in 08 01 11 | No | Water-based emulsion paint, water-based primer — no solvents or hazardous substances |
| 08 01 17* | Wastes from paint or varnish removal containing organic solvents or other hazardous substances | Yes * | Paint-stripper residues, blast media contaminated with lead paint, heat-gun scrapings from solvent-painted surfaces |
| 08 01 21* | Waste paint or varnish remover | Yes * | Spent chemical stripper, dichloromethane-based stripping product (absolute hazardous) |
| 08 03 12* | Waste ink containing hazardous substances | Yes * | Solvent-based flexographic or gravure printing inks |
| 08 03 17* | Waste printing toner containing hazardous substances | Yes * | Industrial or commercial toner with toxic components |
| 08 03 18 | Waste printing toner other than those mentioned in 08 03 17 | No | Used laser printer and photocopier toner cartridges (office equipment) |
| 08 04 09* | Waste adhesives and sealants containing organic solvents or other hazardous substances | Yes * | Solvent-based contact adhesive, cyanoacrylate waste, solvent rubber cement |
| 08 04 10 | Waste adhesives and sealants other than those mentioned in 08 04 09 | No | Water-based PVA adhesive, water-based silicone sealant — no solvents |
| 08 05 01* | Waste isocyanates | Yes * | Leftover isocyanate hardener from two-pack polyurethane paint, spray foam waste, PU adhesive waste (absolute hazardous — always hazardous) |
How do I know if my paint or coating waste is hazardous?
A mirror entry pair means a classification decision is required. For example, waste paint is either 08 01 11* (hazardous — contains solvents or hazardous substances) or 08 01 12 (non-hazardous — water-based, no hazardous content). The same logic applies to paint sludges, varnish removal wastes, inks and adhesives.
A handful of codes are absolute hazardous with no non-hazardous counterpart: waste paint or varnish remover (08 01 21*), waste etching solutions (08 03 16*), disperse oil from the printing industry (08 03 19*), rosin oil (08 04 17*), and waste isocyanates (08 05 01*). These are always hazardous regardless of concentration or quantity.
If a product's safety data sheet (SDS) shows it contains organic solvents or hazardous substances above threshold concentrations, the resulting waste is hazardous and requires a hazardous waste consignment note — not a standard waste transfer note.
What records do chapter 08 waste movements require?
| Code type | Document required | Carrier registration | Retention period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hazardous (*) — e.g. 08 01 11*, 08 04 09*, 08 05 01* | Hazardous waste consignment note | Upper-tier registered waste carrier | At least 3 years |
| Non-hazardous — e.g. 08 01 12, 08 04 10, 08 03 18 | Standard waste transfer note (WTN) | Registered waste carrier (upper or lower tier) | At least 2 years |
In England, hazardous waste producers generating more than 500 kg of hazardous waste per year from a single premises must notify the Environment Agency. Businesses producing significant volumes of solvent-based paint waste or isocyanates will typically exceed this threshold. The equivalent notification requirements for Scotland (SEPA), Wales (NRW) and Northern Ireland (NIEA) differ in detail — check with your national regulator.
Digital Waste Tracking will apply to waste receivers from October 2026 and to carriers, brokers and dealers from October 2027. Permitted sites accepting chapter 08 waste will need to submit a Receipt of Waste for each arriving load from October 2026.
This guide is general information about EWC waste codes, not legal advice. Verify your specific obligations against the primary sources below and, if in doubt, contact the Environment Agency, SEPA, NRW or NIEA for your nation.
Frequently asked questions
- What is EWC chapter 08?
- EWC chapter 08 covers wastes from the manufacture, formulation, supply and use (MFSU) of coatings (paints, varnishes and vitreous enamels), adhesives, sealants and printing inks. It contains 38 six-digit codes across 5 subcategories (08 01 to 08 05), of which 17 are hazardous.
- What EWC code covers waste paint?
- Solvent-based or otherwise hazardous waste paint and varnish is classified as 08 01 11* (hazardous). Water-based or non-hazardous waste paint and varnish that does not contain organic solvents or other hazardous substances is 08 01 12. Most professional trade paints and solvent-based coatings fall under 08 01 11* and require a hazardous waste consignment note.
- Is waste paint hazardous waste in the UK?
- It depends on the formulation. Solvent-based paint, or any paint containing organic solvents or other hazardous substances, is classified as EWC 08 01 11* — an absolute hazardous waste. Water-based paint that contains no hazardous substances is non-hazardous (EWC 08 01 12) and can be moved on a standard waste transfer note. When in doubt, check the product safety data sheet.
- What EWC code is used for waste printing toner?
- Waste printing toner containing hazardous substances is EWC 08 03 17* (hazardous). Toner cartridges and dry toner that do not contain hazardous substances are classified as 08 03 18 (non-hazardous). Most laser toner cartridges from office printers fall under 08 03 18, but toners used in industrial or commercial print processes may be 08 03 17* — check the product safety data sheet.
- What is EWC code 08 05 01*?
- 08 05 01* is the EWC code for waste isocyanates — the chemical hardeners used in two-pack polyurethane paints, spray coatings, foam insulation and certain adhesives. It is an absolute hazardous code, meaning it is always hazardous regardless of quantity. All movements require a hazardous waste consignment note and an upper-tier registered waste carrier.
Related guides
This guide is general information from ComplyWaste, not legal advice. Always check the primary sources for your situation.