In line with the European Green Deal and the second EU Circular Economy Action Plan, the new Waste Shipments Regulation establishes a new regime for the shipments of waste within the EU, as well as for imports and exports of waste into and from the EU.
The objective is to ensure that instead of exporting its waste problems to third countries the EU contributes to the environmentally sound management of waste, as well as better addressing the illegal trafficking of waste.
The Regulation also introduces stricter rules on waste exports to non-OECD countries, including a full ban on the export of plastic waste from 21 November 2026.
For other types of non-hazardous waste, non-OECD countries have to submit a formal request to the European Commission to continue importing such waste from the EU by 21 February 2025.
In this request, non-OECD countries must demonstrate their ability to manage the waste they wish to import from the EU in an environmentally sound manner under conditions equivalent to those applying in the EU. This includes providing detailed information and documentation, as outlined in Annex VIII of the Regulation.
A list of non-OECD countries that remain eligible for importing EU waste will be established based on the requests received before 21 February 2025. Later requests will not be disregarded but will be considered for updates to this list after 21 November 2026.
The list will be updated at least every two years. Exports of waste to non-OECD countries that are not included in the list will be prohibited from 21 May 2027. One request per country for all envisaged waste types must be submitted by the competent national authority designated by that country.
Requests can be submitted using the ‘Request for Inclusion’ form and must include detailed evidence supporting the country's claims, structured according to the form's guidance note. The request and all related documentation or other communication must be provided in English or with a translation in English. It must be submitted electronically to the following email address: ENV-WASTE-SHIPMENTSec [dot] europa [dot] eu (ENV-WASTE-SHIPMENTS[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu.)
Or by registered post to the following address:-
European Commission
DG Environment – Unit B3
Avenue d’Auderghem 19
1040 Brussels
Belgium
The European Commission will then assess the application and draw up a list of non-OECD authorities authorised to import specific waste streams from the EU. In the assessment process, the Commission may reach out to applicant countries to seek clarifications or request to complete the information provided.
Details
- Publication date
- 6 December 2024
- Author
- Directorate-General for Environment