European Commission Issues Report on Transboundary Shipments of Waste

On August 7, 2012, the European Commission published a report on the implementation of Regulation (EC) No. 1013/2006 of June 14, 2006, regarding shipments of waste. The report focuses on the generation, treatment and transboundary shipment of hazardous waste and other waste in EU Member States from 2007 to 2009.

As background, Regulation No. 259/93 of February 1, 1993 on shipments of waste, adopted into EU  law the Basel Convention of March 22, 1989 (to which the EU is a party) on the control of transboundary movement and disposal of hazardous wastes. This Regulation was subsequently repealed and replaced by Regulation No. 1013/2006 of June 14, 2006 on waste shipments. 

The recently released report is based on yearly reports in which Member States are required to describe national implementation and environmental protection measures (as provided for in Regulation 1013/2006). In 2009, approximately 77 million tons of hazardous waste was generated in EU-27, which is a slightly lower volume than in 2008. From 2000 to 2008, the volume of hazardous waste generated had increased by 46%. The total amount of notified waste shipped out of EU Member States from 2007 to 2009 was about 33.1 million tons, including 22.9 million tons of hazardous waste.

Between January 25 and April 12, 2011, the Commission carried out a public stakeholder consultation on ways to strengthen Regulation enforcement and inspection measures. The Commission is currently conducting an assessment of the economic, social and environmental impacts of possible future legislative and non-legislative measures.