CIWM (WAMITAB)

This guidance applies to Wales only.

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) – Regulatory Decision (RD) guidance on Technical Competent Management is provided below:

Continued Technical Competence

Pearson VUE test centres are now open but not operating at full capacity due to the requirement to comply with social distancing guidelines. In these circumstances, NRW will not regard the failure to complete a continuing competence assessment that became due after 16 March 2020 as being a failure to comply with the CIWM/WAMITAB Operator Competence scheme.

There will be a requirement to demonstrate you have registered with WAMITAB to undertake this test. If this applies to you or your TCM, please contact both NRW and WAMITAB as soon as possible to let us know. WAMITAB are keeping a log of those who have contacted them. NRW will be checking this list.

Where an application for a permit is made and continued competence was due after 16 March, we won’t take that as a failure to prove technical competence and we will determine the application as per normal.

There will be a requirement to demonstrate you have registered with WAMITAB to undertake this test and already have the relevant primary qualifications that align with the type of facility you are making an application for.

Where a permit already exists and obtaining continued competence is not possible. The details will be noted on a compliance assessment report, scored but that score held in suspension.

There is the risk to the operator who fails to achieve continued competence following lifting of restrictions on gaining qualification that that operator will be in breach of the permit or this may delay permit issue. In this instance the operator will be expected to provide replacement TCM cover to remain compliant.

This Regulatory Decision will be reviewed by 1 September 2020.

Full details about technical competence and site attendance are available on the Natural Resources Wales website