Summary
The Waste Shipment Regulation (WSR), adopted in 2006, governs the transboundary movement of waste in the EU, implementing international rules and adding stricter provisions to protect human health and the environment. The European Commission aims to review the WSR to align it with the Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan, supporting internal market functionality, restricting harmful exports, and improving enforcement. In 2019, in accordance with the Better Regulation Guidelines, an evaluation was performed. It pinpointed strengths but identified areas for improvement, prompting the European Commission to conduct an impact assessment to explore policy options and to assess the potential economic, social and environmental impact of those policy options. Cefic submitted this response to the public consultation and elaborated on its position in a separate and comprehensive explanatory note to support its submission.
Cefic calls for:
- The creation of a safe and dynamic market for waste to secondary raw materials and reduction of cross-border administrative burdens to enhance recycling efficiency.
- Full digitalisation and simplification of Waste Shipment Regulation procedures, which are crucial for improved efficiency, transparency, and enforcement.
- Harmonised interpretation and implementation of waste regulations to support innovative recycling technologies and ensure free and safe movement of waste within the EU and globally.