This Code has been prepared for the UK photo-processing industry.

This website summarises the Code through three main sections.

'Lab Types' defines where the processor fits within the Code and, through 'Recommendations' provides links to the recommended procedure for that category of business.

The 'Background' area provides information pages including Emergency Spillage Procedure, notes about eco-policy and processes and a comprehensive links section, to help you find further advice and related services.

Our 'Quick Find' page lists every page of the site, allowing you fast access to information, when you already have an idea of your requirements.

• The Code can be used as a management tool to assist the industry in complying with its obligations relating to processing wastes.
• Most photo-processing wastes are low hazard, both to the user and the environment, and water-based. This Code covers the water cycle within the photo-processing laboratory premises i.e. water supplied into, and effluent arising from, photo-processing equipment.
• This advice is given in good faith recognising that good environmental practice is good business practice.
• The code is not intended to apply to photographic manufacturing operations.
• This Code has been produced to help the photo-processing industry, its customers and the Water Services Companies understand:
  • The likely compositions of photo effluent
  • How it should be handled to minimise the environmental impact from photo- processing.
• To help guide you the photo-processing industry has been divided into several categories, depending on the volume of trade effluent generated on the premises.

Other Information in COPPICE

• Advice on how to comply with water supply regulations
• How to deal with chemical spillages.
• An example of an environmental policy for laboratory management to use as guidelines to help them develop their own policies and procedures.
• Useful phone numbers of:
• Water Companies
• Individual photographic companies
• Trade Associations
• Government organisations concerned with protecting the environment.

Aims and Objectives of the Code of Practice

The Photographic and Imaging Council (PIC) seeks to provide its members with advice on strategic issues affecting their customers.

For water related issues it has been impossible to give consistent advice nation-wide.

PIC and Water UK have jointly produced this Code of Practice for the Care of the Environment (COPPICE).

It covers the supply and use of clean water in photo-processes and the safe disposal of resulting liquid waste.

It is hoped that the Code will enable customers of the Water Services and Photo-processing Companies to have a better understanding of the environmental issues affecting water supply and sewage treatment. 

It should also help to increase national harmonisation with minimal bureaucracy.

It will provide the staff of Water Services Companies with a better understanding of the photo-processing industry, its processes, effluents and business needs.

Guiding Principles

To help users of this Code to meet its aims and objectives in protecting the environment:

• Five guiding principles have been established. 
• If these principles are followed, there should be little problem meeting legal environmental obligations.
• The statutes referenced below are the principal Acts or Regulations. Most have been amended by subsequent Act or Regulation, e.g. The Special Waste (Amendment) (England and Wales) Regulations 2001 amend the Special Waste Regulations 1996, and the Environment Act 1995 introduced new provisions into the Water Industry Act 1991.  For the latest information, visit www.hmso.gov.uk

1. All photo-processing laboratories discharging trade effluent must have a suitable positive method of assessing the volume discharged e.g. a meter on the incoming water supply or private sub-meter on the supply to the processor(s).
2. All photo-processing laboratories should have an environmental policy which specifies compliance with relevant environmental legislation, including:
   - the Water Industry Act 1991, or the Sewerage (Scotland) Act, 1968, for discharge of effluent to sewer
   - the Water Resources Act 1991 for discharges to ‘controlled water’.
   - the Environmental Protection Act 1990 for transfer and disposal of waste
   - the Special Waste Regulations 1996.
3. All silver-bearing effluents must either be removed off site by a registered contractor for recovery/disposal, or be collected for efficient in-house silver recovery capable of meeting local Water Company discharge consent standards.
4. All water supply connections must comply with the requirements of the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations, 1999, to prevent any risk of contamination to any public or private water supply (see www.wras.co.uk).
5. A policy of 'reduce-reuse-recycle' should be adopted to minimise effluent and waste production.

REMEMBER: useful environmental, spillage and much other information is contained within the safety data sheets for the chemical products being used.