A cautious office manager looking at a new piece of software will open this list and search for the name on it. This guide explains what the list actually shows, how to read it when you are choosing software, and what it means for a provider, like Tipslip, that is not on it yet.
What the list is
GOV.UK publishes a list called “Report receipt of waste: choose a software provider”. GOV.UK, choose a software provider (opens in new tab) It names a provider and a product, two columns, nothing else: no price, no rating, no order of preference. GOV.UK, choose a software provider (opens in new tab) Defra's API Terms of Service commit Defra to keeping the list up to date and reviewing it fortnightly. Defra API Terms of Service (opens in new tab)
A product gets a row on the list once it has integrated with Defra's Receipt of Waste API and passed Defra's Production Approval Tests, and the Digital Waste Tracking team has formally accepted that. Defra developer guide, registration (opens in new tab)
How to use it when choosing software
Defra's own wording about the list is: “Defra has confirmed that the software providers below meet the digital waste tracking requirements.” GOV.UK, choose a software provider (opens in new tab) That confirmation is about the technical and regulatory requirements only. Defra is explicit that it goes no further than that: “Buying software is at your own risk. You are responsible for ensuring that the software can meet the necessary regulatory requirements.” GOV.UK, choose a software provider (opens in new tab)
So treat the list as a starting point, not the whole decision. Being on it tells you a product has cleared Defra's bar. It does not tell you the price or whether a product fits your firm: ask the provider those questions directly.
Where Tipslip stands
Tipslip has production access to Defra's Report receipt of waste service and submits live receipts today.
Defra has told us Tipslip is being added to GOV.UK's list of software providers, and it does not appear there yet. GOV.UK, choose a software provider (opens in new tab)
Until it does, the list is not the way to find Tipslip.
What to ask any provider
- Is the product on Defra's published list today, under its own name or a parent company's? GOV.UK, choose a software provider (opens in new tab)
- What has Defra confirmed about it, and is it on the GOV.UK list? Defra developer guide, registration (opens in new tab)
- Because the list names a provider and a product only, with no price or ranking, ask about cost and fit directly: being listed is not Defra's view on either. GOV.UK, choose a software provider (opens in new tab)
Sources
- GOV.UK, “Report receipt of waste: choose a software provider”. GOV.UK, choose a software provider (opens in new tab)
- Defra's Digital Waste Tracking API Terms of Service. Defra API Terms of Service (opens in new tab)
- Defra's developer guide, registering as a software provider. Defra developer guide, registration (opens in new tab)