EU wants tougher inspections for waste shipments

The European Commission is proposing to strengthen legislation on the transfer of waste across international borders

It wants to revise the EU waste shipment regulation (1013/2006/EC – as amended) to require all member states to introduce a risk-based system of inspections.

Such a system, combined with greater cooperation between national authorities and better training of inspectors, would help regulators to focus on routes, times and vehicles that are most frequently involved in illegal shipping, says the commission.

A key feature of the proposal is the introduction of on-the-spot inspections.

It also claims the changes would help prevent the “leakage” of valuable raw materials contained in waste and will eventually lead to improvements in waste treatment processes across the EU.

The current waste regulation does not contain specific provisions on inspection planning or how inspections should be carried out.