Project Description
This project set out to spot the small but important gaps between EU waste shipment rules and how they actually play out during real inspections. By digging into IMPEL data and talking directly with inspectors from across Europe, the team uncovered common issues—like confusion around classifying and tracking green-listed waste and not enough coordination between authorities. Some parts of the law turned out to be unclear or just hard to apply in practice, and many of the current guidelines could use an update. Along the way, the project also highlighted useful tools, like the Green List Waste Classification Guide, which takes inspiration from Danish and Austrian approaches and was backed by IMPEL. Overall, the project showed that better guidance and more collaboration are key to making sure the rules work on the ground, not just on paper.
Project Outputs
Big Little TFS Project Report/ 2021
This final report from the IMPEL Big/Little TFS Project details issues encountered by European inspectors enforcing environmental laws regarding transboundary waste shipments (TFS). The report, based on a survey of eleven member states and subsequent interviews, highlights challenges in interpreting and applying legislation, particularly regarding green listed waste and traceability. Key areas for improvement include updating guidelines, clarifying legal definitions, increasing cooperation among authorities, and addressing practical issues at inspection sites. While identifying numerous problems, the project aims to secure an extension to propose solutions.
Classifying Green List waste under the Waste Shipments Regulation/ 2011
The purpose of the practical guidelines is to assist the enterprises and authorities that produce, process, transport, export and control wastes in correctly evaluating those wastes. The guidelines thus aim to provide assistance in evaluations to be undertaken in connection with classification of waste in respect of the Waste Shipments Regulation. The contents represent the interpretation of the Danish Environmental Protection Agency of the underlying rules and are intended purely as guidance. In the case of disagreement on interpretation of the rules, the courts will decide.
Procedural requirements for shipments of waste will not be discussed in this publication. Reference material, with guidelines on procedures for importing/exporting waste, is available on the website of the Environmental Protection Agency. The Austrian guidelines on classification of wastes under the green list have provided considerable inspiration for the Danish guidelines. Many other EU Member States have created guidelines and detailed websites for the Waste Shipments Regulation, although most focus on the procedures relating to transboundary shipments.