Asbestos is a material that has been used for many years in the construction, manufacturing, services and shipping industries. It is a hazardous material and appropriate care must be taken in handling any material which contains asbestos. Asbestos waste is classifiable as chemical waste under the Waste Disposal (Chemical Waste) (General) Regulation and its handling, collection, transportation and disposal is controlled by the legislation. This code gives guidance to persons who may come into contact with asbestos waste on the safe handling of asbestos waste and how they can comply with the legislative controls.

This Code of Practice is a statutory document. It was first published in January 1993 by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands under Section 35 of the Waste Disposal Ordinance after consultation with the Environmental Pollution Advisory Committee. The purpose of this Code is to provide guidance and advice on the collection, storage, treatment, transportation and disposal of waste. It is not legally binding, but compliance with the Code could be employed as evidence of good practice in the course of a legal defence.