EWC Code
Oxidising substances
EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC — Official Journal L 226, 06/09/2000Annual Volume
50,000 tonnes/year EU-wide
Valorisation Range
Specialist disposal; limited recovery market
Primary Route
Chemical reduction and neutralisation
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Get contacts for EWC 16 09EWC 16 09 covers oxidising substances not otherwise classified. Entry 16 09 01* (permanganates, e.g. potassium permanganate), 16 09 02* (chromates, e.g. potassium chromate, potassium dichromate), 16 09 03* (peroxides, e.g. hydrogen peroxide), 16 09 04* (other oxidising substances not otherwise specified) all carry hazardous designation.
Oxidising waste substances react exothermically with organic materials, fuels and reducing agents. Contamination of oxidising waste with organic matter constitutes a fire and explosion hazard. Storage and handling must segregate oxidising wastes from combustibles, reducing agents and incompatible chemicals.
Chromate-containing wastes are subject to restriction under REACH Annex XVII (hexavalent chromium) and require specific treatment — typically reduction to Cr(III) followed by hydroxide precipitation — before disposal. Permanganate wastes may be reduced to MnO2 for stabilisation. Peroxide waste decomposition must be controlled to prevent oxygen evolution.
Typical Generators
Established valorisation pathways for EWC 16 09, ranked by economic value and market depth. Chemical reduction and neutralisation is the primary route.
Chromate wastes reduced from Cr(VI) to Cr(III) using reducing agents (sodium metabisulphite, SO2); precipitated as Cr(OH)3. Permanganate reduced to MnO2. Neutralised, precipitated sludges dewatered for hazardous landfill.
Hydrogen peroxide waste solutions diluted and decomposed catalytically (MnO2 catalyst or heating) to water and oxygen under controlled ventilation. Diluted solutions may be suitable for wastewater treatment as oxidant.
Mixed oxidising waste streams not amenable to chemical treatment incinerated at permitted high-temperature facility. Excess oxygen from oxidisers must be accounted for in combustion air calculation. Dedicated oxidiser waste streams may be used as combustion air supplement.
These are the established routes for EWC 16 09. Which one your stream qualifies for depends on its composition, volume and region.
Get the ranked options for your streamPrimary & secondary off-takers
Licensed chemical treatment and disposal of chromate, permanganate and peroxide wastes
Recovery of oxygen from controlled peroxide decomposition where concentrations justify
Dilute hydrogen peroxide waste used as oxidant in water treatment processes
Re-formulation of off-spec oxidising substances where composition allows
Source: NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat, 2008
Key legislative frameworks governing EWC 16 09 classification, transport, and treatment.
Chromate waste disposal must minimise Cr(VI) release. Reduction to Cr(III) required prior to landfill under WAC. Chromate-containing waste classified HP14 (ecotoxic) under WFD. REACH restriction on Cr(VI) in cement does not directly apply to waste but disposal pathways must prevent environmental exposure.
Waste oxidising substances transported under ADR Class 5.1 with appropriate UN number. Segregation from Class 3 (flammable liquids), Class 4.1/4.2/4.3 (flammable solids) and organic materials required. Packaging must be approved UN type for oxidising class.
Oxidising wastes may carry multiple HP classifications: HP4 (irritant), HP8 (corrosive) and HP12 (release of toxic gas). Permanganate and chromate wastes classified HP14 (ecotoxic). Full HP assessment required at point of generation.
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Sectors that valorise EWC 16 09 as an input material or secondary raw material.
Waste-stream pages and resources connected to EWC 16 09 valorisation.
Explore EU waste flows — Waste Atlas
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Source: EUR-Lex Commission Decision 2000/532/EC · NACE Rev.2 — Eurostat 2008
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