New EU Waste Shipment Regulation & Impact on Waste Collectors and Waste Carriers
On 21 May 2026, the new European Waste Shipment Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 becomes fully applicable. This regulation fundamentally changes how cross‑border waste transports must be documented and controlled. One of the largest changes is the mandatory digitalisation of all transboundary waste‑shipment procedures through the new EU Digital Waste Shipment System (DIWASS).
From that date onward, all transborder Annex VII transports must be created, submitted, and updated digitally. Paper will remain optional but must always correspond exactly to the digital data, which has legal priority.
Because of this regulatory shift, waste collectors and waste carriers will face new obligations in how they register themselves, prepare transports, and communicate shipment information.
1. What is changing?
1.1. Digital Annex VII for all cross‑border green‑list waste transports
Starting 21 May 2026, every shipment under Annex VII—non‑hazardous, non‑mixed waste for recovery within the EU or OECD—must be reported digitally in DIWASS before the transport begins.
Transport must still carry the Annex VII information (digital or paper), but the digital version is leading during inspections.
1.2. Stricter monitoring and controls
Controls will increasingly rely on central system data, meaning inspectors verify whether the information shown during transport is identical to what was digitally submitted. Any mismatch may result in enforcement actions.
1.3. Waste classification and contamination rules become stricter
Inspectors will validate whether waste is sufficiently clean and correctly classified to fall under Annex VII.
If contamination levels are too high, the shipment must follow the more complex notification procedure instead.
2. What does this mean for Waste Collectors?
Waste collectors (inzamelaars) are often the ones arranging the shipment (vak 1) in Annex VII. Under the new rules, their responsibilities increase:
2.1. Digital responsibility for correct shipment data
Collectors must ensure:
- Accurate contact information of the consignor and consignee
- Correct waste description and waste codes
- Correct quantities and dates
- Correct carrier data
- Contractual documentation (producer–receiver contracts)
(All these fields are required per Annex VII structure.)
If collectors enter incomplete or incorrect data, authorities can invalidate the transport. Repeated low‑quality submissions may trigger stricter enforcement or require new notifications.
2.2. Responsibility for waste quality and contamination
Inspectors can require the shipment to follow the notification procedure if the waste appears too contaminated, even if it was declared Annex VII.
Collectors therefore must:
- Verify pre‑sorting quality
- Keep contamination low
- Provide clear documentation of waste origin and composition
2.3. Contracts must be correct and signed
Before transport begins, a legally binding contract between consignor and recovery facility is required. If the recovery facility differs from the consignee, both must sign.
3. What does this mean for Waste Carriers?
Carriers have new digital obligations, including:
3.1. Mandatory carrier identification in DIWASS
Carriers must be registered and correctly identified, including:
- Operator ID
- Contact person
- Phone and email
- Means of transport
- Vehicle or container identifiers
(This data is mandatory in the Annex VII and its DIWASS mapping.)
3.2. Signing the chain of custody
Every carrier must digitally confirm the transfer of waste (vak 5).
Multiple carriers (1st, 2nd, 3rd…) must each register their section. These digital confirmations are logged in DIWASS.
3.3. Digital availability during transport
While a paper copy may accompany the transport, DIWASS holds the authoritative record.
Inspectors can verify the shipment afterward, even if no internet connection was available during the roadside check.
Inspectors can verify the shipment afterward, even if no internet connection was available during the roadside check.
3.4. Valid registration obligations
Carriers must comply with:
- OVAM registration for Flemish territory
- Recognition/registration obligations in Brussels/Wallonia/EER (As described in OVAM guidance.)
4. Expected Impact on Daily Operations
For waste collectors
- More upfront data preparation before transport
- Requirement to maintain digital accuracy
- More administrative work but fewer disputes afterward
- Higher inspection certainty because DIWASS contains all data
For waste carriers
- Need to maintain complete and accurate operator profiles
- Responsibility to perform timely digital “handover” confirmations
- More predictable inspections and reduced paperwork
- Obligation to ensure the digital and accompanying documents match
5. Why our software must integrate with DIWASS
Because DIWASS becomes the only legal reference for transborder waste shipments starting May 2026, our software must:
- Create Annex VII documents digitally
- Submit them to DIWASS
- Maintain operator/collector/carrier profiles
- Provide a compliant digital workflow for the entire chain
- Support inspectors by generating exact digital copies for transport
Updated on January 29, 2026