Street Works UK has introduced a revised process for organisations registering to use the Material Classification Protocol and for existing users submitting their quarterly data returns.
The changes follow feedback from Protocol users and are intended to make submissions clearer, more consistent and easier to process.
Organisations wishing to use the Material Classification Protocol must complete an annual registration for each operational year.
A new online Annual Registration Form will be used for both new applicants and organisations registering for a further year. Applicants will be asked to provide their organisation and contact details, confirm the operational year they are applying for, and upload the required supporting data. The form can be found here – EXCAVATED WASTE PROTOCOL: ANNUAL REGISTRATION FORM.
To calculate each organisation’s annual 1% material sampling target, applicants must provide Street Manager data covering the calendar year two years before the operational year being requested. For example, organisations applying to use the Protocol during 2027 will need to provide their 2025 Street Manager activity data.
Applicants must use the latest Submission Template and provide evidence of both:
Excavated Materials Protocol – New User submission – ORG NAME – APPLICATION YEAR
The completed Submission Template must be uploaded as part of the application. Applications cannot be progressed without the required Street Manager evidence.
Applications will be checked to ensure all mandatory information has been provided, the latest template has been used and the supporting data is complete and consistent. Where information is missing or cannot be validated, the applicant will be asked to resolve the issue and submit a new application.
Applicants will receive confirmation that their application has been received, with completed applications then reviewed by Street Works UK. Reviews currently typically take around two to three working weeks.
For organisations wishing to use the Protocol in 2027, the deadline for annual registration is Friday 27 November 2026. Early submissions are strongly encouraged.
The process for submitting quarterly Protocol results has also been updated.
Registered organisations must continue to provide quarterly data demonstrating the outcomes of excavated material testing and classification. This includes:
Quarterly returns must now be submitted through the new online Quarterly Results Return form here – EXCAVATED WASTE PROTOCOL: Quarterly 2026 RESULTS RETURN.
Users should download and complete the latest Quarterly Returns spreadsheet available below from Street Works UK below and upload it through the form for the relevant quarter.
Excavated Materials Protocol – Quarterly results return – ORG NAME – QUARTER-YEAR
To help maintain consistency across the dataset, the new spreadsheet is column-locked. Users should therefore:
Returns that are incomplete, use an outdated or amended template, or contain data outside the relevant reporting quarter will not be accepted. In these circumstances, the organisation will be contacted and asked to correct the issue and resubmit through the online form.
Successful submissions will be confirmed by email.
Street Works UK has also produced a new Material Classification Protocol User Guide following feedback from organisations using the process.
Excavated Materials Protocol – New User guide
The guide provides an introduction to the basic principles of the Protocol and explains the requirements for annual registration, data preparation and quarterly reporting.
We strongly encourage both new and existing users to review the guide before submitting an application or quarterly return.
Please note that information submitted to Street Works UK will only be shared with the Environment Agency for audit purposes and will not be shared with any other organisation without the express permission of the data owner.
