The key to reducing the risk of clinical waste is to adopt a high operational standard. EPD is committed to the promulgation of safe practices and building up the self-regulation capacity among the healthcare trades, laboratories and research community through awareness seminars, meetings, technical exchange, exhibitions and dissemination of promotion materials. We hope to be business friendly while nurturing a culture of compliance and sense of responsibility in managing the waste.
EPD issues Premises Codes to healthcare operators, labs and research institutes who are producers of Clinical Waste. The code serves as unique identification of the venue for collection of clinical waste. It allows the waste to be accounted for from the point of arising to the site of treatment and disposal.
EPD receives licence applications and facilitates clinical waste collection companies to understand and fulfil licensing requirements. We would check the capability of the applicant in safe collection of clinical waste which includes staff competence, worthiness of vehicles or vessels, adequacy of equipment, safe procedure, emission control, the ability to deal with spillage or other emergencies and liability insurance.
In maintaining a level playing field and a workable scheme on clinical waste, EPD sees to safe operation in waste handling and compliance of licence conditions. We oversee the whole chain of waste handling from generation of the waste at the origin, its collection and transportation through to its treatment at disposal sites. EPD monitors waste handling through surveys as well as regular or surprise checks and investigates into alleged malpractices. We are guided by enforcement principles and the department’s prosecution policy in initiating and completing cases.