Implementation of the Waste Shipment Regulation

Every three years, the Commission must report on the implementation of the regulation. Please see below for prior documentation.

The Waste Shipment Regulation requires EU Member States and the Commission to nominate correspondents who are responsible for informing or advising persons or undertakings making enquiries related to the implementation of the Regulation.

Please find the most recently updated list of correspondents here.

In the past, correspondents had meetings where the minutes were publicly available. See here.

See below for other related documents:-

• Summary on waste carriers
• Threshold values for contaminants in "green" listed waste as established by Member States

Non-OECD country authorities wishing to import waste from the EU are invited to notify the European Commission of their willingness and demonstrate their ability to treat this waste environmentally soundly, as per Annexes VIII and IX of the Regulation.

Non-OECD countries willing to continue receiving waste from the EU need to submit their request to the Commission by 21 February 2025. 

The request must be submitted by the competent national authority designated by that country. Requests can be submitted using the 'Request for Inclusion' form. Requests must include detailed evidence supporting the country's claims, structured according to the form's guidance note.

This request 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

This request and all related documentation or other communication shall be provided in English or with a translation in English.

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.

A first list of authorised countries will be established by 21 November 2026 and exports to non-OECD countries not on the list will be prohibited. This list will be updated regularly and at least every two years.

More information can be found here.

The Commission is working on the development of the central system for electronic submission and exchange of information and documents concerning shipments of waste. The Digital Waste Shipment System (DIWASS) will be used for the exchange of documents and information as of 21 May 2026. The system will be based on the existing IMSOC platform. DIWASS should be interoperable with other systems and software, that are used by some competent authorities or economic operators.  Requirements necessary for such interoperability will be laid down in an implementing act (see below)/ 

More information on DIWASS and its functioning will be published soon.

The Expert Group on Waste held discussions on shipments of waste on 13 May 2024.

Read all correspondent guidelines.

Several Member States have published their own guidance documents for the implementation of the Waste Shipment Regulation:

The cross-border shipment of waste is a key focus of IMPEL, the EU network for the Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law. See IMPEL’s guidance on waste shipment inspection planning.

Contact details for Competent Authorities in Member States

Overview of Customs Offices in Member States

For questions about EU environmental policy, please contact Europe Direct.