HTM 07-01 Updates & the Authorising Engineer System: What You Need to Know in 2025/2026

In 2023, the UK’s Department of Health released a major update to HTM 07-01: Safe Management of Healthcare Waste—the first significant revision in over a decade. Alongside this, the Authorising Engineer (Waste) system is gaining traction as a new layer of governance and accountability. Together, these changes are reshaping how healthcare providers manage clinical waste.

🔍 What Is HTM 07-01?

HTM 07-01 is the UK’s technical guidance for managing healthcare waste safely and sustainably. It applies to NHS trusts, private clinics, care homes, and waste carriers.

The 2023 update introduces:

• Expanded waste categories: Including offensive, infectious, cytotoxic, pharmaceutical, and sharps waste

• Stricter segregation protocols: Supporting the NHS’s 20/20/60 waste reduction targets

• Carbon-conscious disposal: Encouraging diversion from incineration to lower-emission methods

• Improved bin labelling and placement guidance

• Integration with sustainability goals: Including cost savings and carbon reduction ​1​

🧑‍🏫 What Is an Authorising Engineer (Waste)?

The Authorising Engineer (AE) is a new role designed to ensure that waste management systems are:

• Compliant with HTM 07-01

• Audited regularly

• Supported by proper documentation and governance

An AE provides independent oversight and technical advice, helping facilities avoid compliance failures and improve safety. This system mirrors similar roles in medical gas and decontamination governance.

🧠 Why These Changes Matter

Healthcare waste is no longer just a hygiene issue—it’s a legal, environmental, and operational priority. With more complex waste streams and tighter regulations, facilities must:

• Train staff regularly

• Audit waste segregation and storage

• Partner with licensed carriers who understand HTM 07-01

✅ How Ecowyse Supports Compliance

At Ecowyse, we help healthcare providers in Stoke-on-Trent and beyond:

• Implement HTM 07-01-compliant waste systems

• Conduct free audits to identify segregation errors

• Provide colour-coded bins and secure transport

• Offer training aligned with the latest guidance

• Collaborate with Authorising Engineers to ensure governance

📣 Stay Ahead of the Curve

Don’t wait for a compliance issue to act. Contact Ecowyse today for a free HTM 07-01 audit or to learn more about integrating an Authorising Engineer into your waste governance plan.

👉 Request a Free Audit | Speak to Our Compliance Team @ support@ecowyse.co.uk