EU’s revised Waste shipment regulation (WSR) was approved in spring 2024. The main objectives of the WSR include reducing shipments of problematic waste to outside the EU, as well as promoting the use of waste as a resource in a circular economy within the EU.

The WSR sets up control procedures for the waste shipment, which depend on waste characteristics (hazardous, non-hazardous), final destination (EU, OECD, outside OECD), and treatment operation (recycling, landfilling). In the revised WSR, for the waste shipments within EU, general information requirements apply to green listed waste (non-hazardous waste) destined for recovery, such as information on the quantity, treatment, origin and destination of the waste material. For the shipment of hazardous waste and waste destined to landfills within EU, prior written notification and consent of the authorities is required.

The revision also aims to improve the functioning of the EU internal market for waste destined for recycling/reuse by e.g. digitalising and simplifying the procedures for intra-EU shipments. Paper based notification procedures will be shifted to central electronic system operated at the Union level. Furthermore, fast track procedures for certain eligible facilities designated by the Member States will also be made easier and more efficient.

Most provisions in revised WSR will apply from May 2026 and most export rules will apply from May 2027. Waste shipment regulation affects various stakeholders in the value chain:

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1. Floor Covering Manufacturers

• Manufacturers need to ensure their waste (e.g. from manufacturing or takeback schemes) is shipped in compliance with the regulation, taking into account restrictions on exporting hazardous waste materials and ensuring proper documentation and adherence to waste shipment controls.

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2. Waste collectors and recyclers

• The regulation sets rules for transboundary shipments of waste, affecting the movement of recyclable materials across EU and non-EU countries.
• Recyclers must adhere to the waste shipment controls and documentation requirements outlined in the regulation, impacting their operational processes.

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3. Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs)

• PROs are involved in the collection and treatment of waste, and the regulation may influence their operations for example if hazardous waste is shipped between the EU and OECD countries outside the EU.
• Aligning PRO’s waste management strategies with the regulation’s emphasis on circular economy principles.

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4. Innovators

• Can take advantage of facilitated shipments for laboratory analysis and experimental treatment trials.
• Focus on developing environmentally sound management techniques for waste and on developing materials with non-hazardous and recyclable characteristics.

Links:

• European Commission’s website on Waste Shipments: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/waste-shipments_en
• European Commission’s news article “New Regulation on waste shipments enters into force”:https://environment.ec.europa.eu/news/new-regulation-waste-shipments-enters-force-2024-05-20_en