Waste Shipment Regulation
Economic growth and globalisation have led to a global increase in cross-border waste shipments, by road, rail and ship.
The EU has a system for monitoring and controlling shipments of waste within its borders and with countries which have signed the Basel Convention.
The EU has also introduced rules for the export, import and shipment of plastic waste within the EU.
Revision of the “Waste Shipment Regulation”
The new rules prohibit the export of plastic waste outside the EU to non-OECD countries. The export of plastic waste outside the EU to OECD countries should be stopped within 4 years of the entry into effect of the Regulation.
These rules should put an end to the export of plastic waste to countries which often lack the capacity and standards to manage it sustainably.
Current rules for the export of plastic waste
| B3011 Non-hazardous plastic waste (without notification) | Y48 Non-hazardous plastic waste (with notification) | A3210 (AC 300) Hazardous plastic waste (With notification – restricted) |
|---|---|---|
| This concerns waste that is intended for environmentally friendly recycling and that is virtually free of pollutants and other types of waste. | This concerns plastic waste or mixtures of such waste materials containing hazardous components. | |
Permitted categories:
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Permitted categories:
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| ✓ Without notification: Export to OECD and non-OECD countries |
✓ With notification and licensing: Export to OECD and non-OECD countries |
✓ Export to OECD countries ✗ Export ban to non-OECD countries |