WEEE Manager Passes Defra’s 14 Production Approval Tests

Our software is now approved to submit waste movement data directly to the Digital Waste Tracking service

We are proud to announce that WEEE Manager has successfully passed all 14 of Defra’s Production Approval Tests, marking a major milestone for our software and the waste businesses that rely on it.

The Production Approval Tests, known as PATs, are a series of scenarios that software providers must successfully complete to demonstrate that their systems can communicate accurately and securely with Defra’s Digital Waste Tracking service.

Having completed this approval process, WEEE Manager can now submit receipt of waste data directly to the live Defra service through its API.

What does this mean for WEEE Manager customers?

This approval confirms that WEEE Manager is ready to support waste businesses as the industry moves towards mandatory Digital Waste Tracking.

Customers will be able to manage their day-to-day waste operations through WEEE Manager while submitting the required information to Defra from the same connected platform.

This will help businesses:

•  Create and manage digital waste and transfer notes 
•  Record waste collections, movements and receipts 
•  Submit required receipt of waste data to Defra 
•  Reduce duplicate data entry and manual administration 
•  Maintain more complete and accurate digital records 
•  Prepare for the introduction of mandatory Digital Waste Tracking 
•  Give office staff, site teams and drivers access to connected information 

Rather than managing paperwork, spreadsheets and separate reporting processes, businesses can keep their operational and compliance information together within WEEE Manager.

What were the 14 Production Approval Tests?

Software providers must demonstrate that their systems can successfully manage 14 different reporting scenarios before being approved for live submissions.

These scenarios are designed to test whether the software can correctly process and submit waste information across the situations a waste receiver may encounter. Passing the tests demonstrates that the integration can communicate successfully with Defra’s live Digital Waste Tracking service.

Defra describes these checks as Production Approval Tests and advises waste businesses to confirm whether their chosen software provider has successfully completed them. View the official GOV.UK guidance.

Preparing for mandatory Digital Waste Tracking

Permitted waste receiving sites in England and Wales are expected to use the Digital Waste Tracking service from October 2026. The changes are intended to provide a clearer record of where waste comes from, where it goes and who is responsible for it.

This represents a significant change for waste businesses that currently depend on paper notes, spreadsheets or disconnected software.

The Environment Agency has confirmed that waste receivers can report through compatible waste management software connected to the service by API. Read more about the Digital Waste Tracking service on GOV.UK.

Passing the Defra approval process means WEEE Manager is ready to help businesses make that transition.

One connected waste management platform

Defra integration is one part of the complete WEEE Manager platform.

Our software brings together:

•  Digital waste and transfer notes 
•  Client, broker and waste producer management 
•  Collection and delivery scheduling 
•  Driver job management 
•  Digital signatures and photographs 
•  Fleet and vehicle checks 
•  Waste reporting and compliance records 
•  Live driver location tracking 
•  Carbon impact reporting 
•  Direct integration with the Defra Digital Waste Tracking service 

This gives waste businesses a practical way to manage their everyday operation while preparing for the future of digital waste reporting.

A major milestone for WEEE Manager

Passing all 14 Production Approval Tests is an important achievement for our development team and provides further reassurance to businesses considering WEEE Manager as their Digital Waste Tracking software provider.

Our focus has always been to make waste management simpler, more connected and easier to control. Receiving production approval from Defra brings us another step closer to that goal.

Is your waste business ready?

If your business still relies on paper waste notes, spreadsheets or separate systems, now is the time to prepare.

WEEE Manager provides an all-in-one waste management platform, with packages available from £120 per month.

Book a free demonstration to see how WEEE Manager can help your business manage waste movements, support its compliance processes and connect with the Defra Digital Waste Tracking service.

Visit weeemanager.co.uk to book your demonstration.