As from 1 January 2021, new European Union (EU) rules apply to shipments of plastic waste, which provide for new codes for plastic waste that are hazardous, non-hazardous or which require special attention. . The classification of plastic waste was changed by the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention at its fourteenth meeting in May 2019 (COP14, Decision BC-14/12).
The new entries (Y48, A3210 and B3011) were taken over by Regulation (EC) No of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 .1013/2006 on shipments of waste by means of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/2174 amending Annexes IC, III, IIIA, IV, V, VII and VIII to Regulation (EC) N of the European Parliament and of the Council R. 1013/2006 on shipments of waste. . The Waste Shipment Regulation also includes new plastic waste codes for shipments between OECD member states (AC300) and between EU countries (EU48 and EU3011).
Procedures
Depending on the type and destination of plastic waste (within the EU, OECD, non-OECD), different procedures apply:
- Exports from the EU
The export of hazardous plastic waste (A3210) and plastic waste which is difficult to recycle (Y48) from the EU to non-OECD countries is prohibited.
The removal of clean, non-hazardous waste (for recycling) (B3011) from the EU to non-OECD countries is authorised only under special conditions. . The importing country should indicate which rules apply to such imports to the European Commission (s K. Regulation (EC) No .1418/2007).
Exports of hazardous plastic waste (AC300) and plastic waste which are difficult to recycle (Y48) from the EU to OECD countries are subject to the prior notification and consent procedure. . In accordance with this procedure, consent must be given to all participating countries, the destination, the sending country and the transit countries.
- Imports into the EU
Imports of hazardous plastic waste and plastic waste from third countries which are difficult to recycle in the EU are subject to the prior notification and consent procedure. . In accordance with this procedure, consent must be given to all participating countries, the destination, the sending country and the transit countries.
- Intra-EU transport
The previous notification and consent procedure also covers the transport of hazardous plastic waste (AC300) and non-hazardous plastic waste (which is difficult to recycle) within the EU (EU48).
These new control measures do not cover all shipments of non-hazardous plastic waste intended for recovery within the EU (EU3011).
The new codes EU3011 and EU48 for non-hazardous plastic waste largely take into account the requirements agreed in the Basel Convention, but with some differences.
More detailed information is available at:
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/2174 amending Annexes IC, III, IIIA, IV, V, VII and VIII to Regulation (EC) No .1013/2006 on shipments of waste
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/LV/TXT/HTML/? uri = CELEX: 32020R2174 & from = EN