Home Modules Gaining a better understanding of the legislation Waste Shipment Regulation

Waste Shipment Regulation

Economic growth and globalisation have led to a global increase in cross-border waste shipments, by road, rail and ship.

Revision of the Waste Shipment Regulation

In November 2023, the European Council, Commission and Parliament reached a provisional agreement on waste exports outside the European Union. This new regulation strengthens the rules on waste exports outside the European Union, particularly for plastic waste.

EXPORTS OF PLASTIC WASTE (as from late 2026)

  • Exports of plastic waste from the EU to non-OECD countries are banned.
  • Exports of plastic waste from the EU to OECD member countries are authorised but subject to a notification procedure.

FOR ALL OTHER WASTE

  • exports of hazardous or specific waste to non-OECD countries remain banned
  • exports of waste on the green list are banned to non-OECD countries, unless
    • the country submits an explicit request to import the waste concerned,
    • the country demonstrates its ability to treat the waste in an environmentally sound manner without affecting the treatment of local waste,
    • the company that will carry out the treatment in this non-OECD country has previously been audited to demonstrate that it can treat the waste in accordance with the principles of environmentally sound management.

When will the new rules come into force?

This regulation has been approved in the first half of 2024 and will enter into force in the first half of 2025.

At the earliest 5 years after the entry into force of the Regulation, a non-OECD country may apply for a derogation provided that it can demonstrate that it can treat the waste in an environmentally sound manner and that there is no impact on the proper treatment of local plastic waste.