Brussels,

Waste shipments

EU rules on the shipment of waste within and beyond EU borders help protect the environment and public health by ensuring safe and controlled handling of waste.

​Economic growth and globalisation have led to a significant increase in waste transport across borders by road, rail, and sea. While 35.1 million tonnes of EU waste (valued at €18.5 billion in 2023) were exported, the majority of EU-generated waste still circulates between EU Member States.
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  • Uncontrolled movement of waste can have severe environmental consequences, whereas well-managed waste shipments can recover valuable secondary raw materials that benefit the circular economy.
  • Türkiye is currently the main destination for EU waste exports.
  • By 21 February 2025, non-OECD countries wishing to continue receiving non-hazardous waste from the EU must notify the European Commission of their intent.
1. Total Waste Exports and Destinations
  • 35.1 million tonnes of waste were exported by the EU in 2023, worth approximately €18.5 billion.
  • Türkiye is currently the main destination for EU waste exports, followed by other countries in Asia and the OECD area.
  • Over the past decade, the quantity of waste exported from the EU has generally increased, although annual fluctuations occur depending on market demand, global commodity prices, and regulatory changes.
Sources

2. Intra-EU Waste Shipments
  • A significant share of EU-generated waste (especially metals, paper, glass, and other secondary raw materials) is traded among Member States.
  • Intra-EU shipments often focus on recovery operations (e.g., recycling), reflecting variations in processing capacity and infrastructure between countries.
  • Hazardous and mixed wastes destined for disposal or recovery require prior notification and consent procedures, influencing shipment volumes and routes.
Source

3. Plastic Waste Exports
  • Plastic waste represents a small but high-profile fraction of overall waste exports due to environmental concerns.
  • In recent years, EU exports of plastic waste have declined partly because of stricter import controls in Asia (e.g., China’s National Sword policy).
  • Under the new Waste Shipments Regulation, plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries will be banned by November 2026.
Sources

4. Illegal Shipments
  • Illegal waste shipments remain a significant concern, with numerous reports of improper labeling (e.g., misdeclaring hazardous waste as non-hazardous).
  • Data compiled by enforcement agencies (customs, environmental inspectorates) show that 5–10% of inspected shipments can be non-compliant, though this figure varies greatly by country.
  • The forthcoming EU ‘waste shipment enforcement group’ and enhanced OLAF (EU anti-fraud office) involvement aim to improve cross-border coordination to detect and prevent illegal flows.
Sources

5. Outlook Under the New Waste Shipments Regulation
  • 21 February 2025: Non-OECD countries must notify the EU if they wish to continue receiving non-hazardous waste.
  • May 2026: Most new internal provisions (e.g., digital procedures) come into force, aiming to streamline intra-EU shipments and increase traceability.
  • November 2026: Plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries will be banned.
  • May 2027: Full export rules, including stricter conditions on non-OECD shipments, apply.
Sources
Key Takeaways
  • The EU remains both a major generator of waste and a leading exporter of certain waste types, particularly metals, plastics, and paper.
  • Tightening regulations aim to ensure that waste shipped abroad is treated in an environmentally sound manner and to reduce illegal shipments.
  • New rules progressively restrict exports (especially to non-OECD countries) and shift to digital procedures for improved monitoring and enforcement.

Legislative Framework

1. Waste Shipments Regulation

The new Waste Shipments Regulation entered into force on 20 May 2024. Its main aims are to:
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  1. Prevent the export of the EU’s waste challenges to third countries and ensure environmentally sound management of waste.
  2. Strengthen enforcement against illegal shipments within the EU and beyond.
  3. Increase traceability of waste shipments and facilitate recycling and reuse.

Note: Most provisions of the new Regulation apply from 21 May 2026, with export rules starting from 21 May 2027. Until then, the provisions of Waste Shipment Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 continue to apply.

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2. Basel Convention & OECD Decision

The Regulation implements the Basel Convention (on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal) and incorporates the OECD decision establishing a control system for waste shipments for recovery within the OECD.

Key Elements of the New Regulation

1. Waste Shipments Within the EU
  • Prior notification and consent: Required for all waste destined for disposal, hazardous waste for recovery, and most mixed wastes.
  • Green-listed (non-hazardous) waste: Shipped under general information requirements.
  • Digital transition: From May 2026, documents and procedures will largely shift to an electronic system to improve traceability and reduce paperwork.

2. Export of Waste from the EU
  • General ban on waste exports for disposal and on hazardous waste exports for recovery to non-OECD countries.
  • Export to OECD countries: Similar to intra-EU rules, subject to increased monitoring. The Commission may suspend exports causing environmental harm.
  • Export to non-OECD countries: From May 2027, non-hazardous (‘green-listed’) waste exports are generally prohibited unless the destination country:
    • Formally requests acceptance of specific non-hazardous wastes, and
    • Demonstrates its ability to treat the waste in an environmentally sound manner.

3. Obligations of Waste Exporters
  • Audits: Exporters must carry out independent audits of recipient facilities to prove environmentally sound management.
  • Suspensions: Exports must cease if the facility fails to meet required standards.

4. Monitoring and Enforcement
  • EU Waste Shipment Enforcement Group: Brings together environmental, customs, police and other agencies, plus European and international enforcement networks.
  • OLAF support: The EU’s anti-fraud office may assist Member States with transnational investigations into waste trafficking.

5. Plastic Waste and E-Waste
  • Plastic waste: From November 2026, stricter rules apply, including additional bans for non-OECD countries.
  • New e-waste classification:
    • As of 1 January 2025, exports of electrical and electronic waste (e-waste) to non-OECD countries are prohibited;
    • E-waste shipped to OECD countries or imported to the EU will fall under prior informed consent procedures.

Implementation

Member States and the European Commission cooperate to ensure compliance with waste shipment rules.​​

Timeline

  • 14 June 2006
    Waste Shipments Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 enters into force.
  • 20 May 2024
    New Waste Shipments Regulation enters into force.
  • 21 February 2025
    Deadline for non-OECD countries to request to continue receiving non-hazardous waste from the EU.
  • May 2026
    New provisions (except on exports) start to apply (including electronic documentation).
  • November 2026
    Ban on plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries.
  • May 2027
    New export rules (including stricter conditions for non-OECD countries) fully apply.
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