SWUK Material Classification Protocol
Missed the webinar?
Watch again below.
Compliance sampling, testing and classification
This webinar provides a concise overview and examination of the sampling, testing and classification requirements under the new Street Works UK (SWUK) Material Classification Protocol, formally implemented in England in October 2025.
The presentation begins by outlining the preceding regulatory context, from identifying the utilities sectorβs need to develop a procedure to replace RPS 211 (latterly superseded by RPS 298) to the subsequent waste sampling study that was undertaken to obtain the data needed to develop the protocol. The presentation then explores the substantive changes introduced by the protocol, with particular emphasis on the compliance sampling, testing and classification aspects that it introduces.
The webinar concludes by reflecting on what is known following completion of the first quarterly sampling cycle under the protocol, highlighting some of the key challenges encountered and potential implications and opportunities for its broader application in the future.
Webinar speakers
Karl Hall
Principal Waste and Resources Consultant, RSK Geosciences
Karl Hall is a Chartered Scientist and principal waste and resources consultant at RSK, with over 20 yearsβ experience in the environmental and waste management industry. In the early part of his career, Karl worked as an analytical chemist in an environmental laboratory before moving to RSK Geosciences in 2006 to undertake geoenvironmental investigation and assessment of brownfield sites. Over the last ten years, Karlβs role has focused on waste management on construction sites and he has specific expertise and experience in the sampling, assessment and classification of construction excavation waste. Karl worked on all phases of the preceding SWUK sampling study and currently manages several of RSKβs large SWUK compliance sampling projects for major utility organisations.
Abigail Edwards
Senior Waste and Resources Consultant, RSK Geosciences
Abigail Edwards is a Chartered Waste Manager and senior waste and resources consultant at RSK, with over six yearsβ experience in waste classification and assessment. Prior to joining RSK in 2023, Abigail worked within remediation contracting as a technical assessment chemist and compliance manager, classifying construction waste for acceptance into treatment facilities and further afield. Since joining RSK, Abigail worked on Phase 3 of the SWUK sampling study and has provided training to several major utility organisations through the trial and operational phases of the protocol. Additionally, she manages a number of RSKβs large SWUK compliance sampling projects for major utility organisations.
Featured business
RSK Geosciences
RSK Geosciences is the UKβs leading site investigation, contaminated land and geotechnical consultancy and has more than 25 years of experience. We help our clients to realise opportunities and manage the potential liabilities associated with the acquisition, ownership, operation, development and divestiture of land. We work for both the public and private sectors, including many of the UKβs leading property developers, major and local house builders, utility providers and main contractors, local authorities and other government organisations.
Webinar series: Down to Earth
This webinar series focuses on the core elements of RSK Geosciencesβ business and their applications in todayβs world. The sessions will cover, for example, RSK Geosciencesβ key services, highlighting how it can help to de-risk development and construction projects through reducing uncertainty on below-ground issues and identifying opportunities for cost and programme savings and sustainability gains.
View more webinars from this series