transfrontier shipment of waste

Reliable statistics compiled at regular intervals are an invaluable monitoring tool both in Germany and in the EU in general, in that they allow for the evaluation of current rules and for new environmental policy decisions to be made.

Waste management is responsible for the entire waste cycle: from waste prevention, re-use and recycling to recovery and disposal. Their tasks include collection, transport, ,sorting and treatment of waste.

German government statistics concerning transfrontier shipment of wastes show that such transactions mainly involve neighboring countries, with the lion’s share of waste originating from the relevant border regions. The mean transport distance between the location at which waste originates and its recovery or disposal destination is less than 500 kilometers.

Transfrontier shipments of non-green-listed wastes are subject to a prior written notification and consent procedure. This also applies to wastes for which a permit is required.

Green-listed wastes can be shipped transfrontier without written consent. Such movements must be documented using the form “Consignment Information”, insofar as not otherwise stipulated by Regulation (EU) No. 1418/2007.

The Focal Point to the Basel Convention in Germany, which was established under the Waste Shipment Act (AbfVerbrG), issues permits for transfrontier shipment of wastes through Germany, answers queries, and advises businesses and government agencies.

Laws and regulations concerning transfrontier shipment of waste are based on the Basel Convention. The EU has transposed the procedural rules of Basel Convetion into directly applicable European legislation taking into account OECD Council Decision C(92)39/ FINAL.