Umweltbundesamt
Click to enlargeThe 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.
The focal point provides general information and issues expert opinions on issues regarding transfrontier shipment of wastes. It is also the point of contact for other focal points and correspondents, as well as the Basel Convention secretariat and the European Commission, and works closely with regional competent authorities in the Federal-States (Länder) responsible for waste export and import. This allows for direct and immediate data and information exchage between the Focal Point and the authorities of the Federal States and of international bodies. The Focal Point furthermore has the tasks to compile the yearly statistics on the amounts of wastes shipped across frontiers.
The EU has issued instructions that are intended to provide assistance in completing the notification and movement forms. The transfrontier shipment of green-listed waste and the consignment information (Annex VII) have given rise to numerous questions to which the UBA provides answers in an FAQ document known as the FAQ-List.
In the interest of simplifying the task of classifying wastes in the Annexes to the Waste Shipment Regulation, the UBA has compiled consolidated waste lists incorporated the Annexes III, IIIA, IIIB and IV of WSR. Furthermore a list referencing OECD codes and customs codes to the consolidated waste lists has been issued.
For more detailed information concerning transfrontier shipment of wastes see the article by Joachim Wuttke titled "Transfrontier Shipment of Wastes" and a guide (Vollzugshilfe) concerning the application of WSR and Waste Shipment Act (Ger.), issued by the Federation/Federal States Working Party on Waste (LAGA).
Events of the Focal Point to the Basel Convention
The Focal Point regularly holds sessions with regional competent authorities for the purpose of discussing implementation and enforcement issues. Colloquiums are also held on special occasions to discuss particular issues.
Twenty year anniversary of the Focal Point
A colloquium was held to mark the 20th anniversary of the Focal Point to the Basel Convention on 9th and 10th October 2014 in Dessau.
Directive 2008/98/EC on waste and repealing certain Directives
Instructions for Commission Regulation (EC) No 669/2008 Annex IC
OECD-Decision on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Wastes destined for Recovery Operations
Focal Point to the Basel Convention - Guideline No 1 Focal Point to the Basel Convention - Guideline No 2 Focal Point to the Basel Convention - Guideline No 3 Focal Point to the Basel Convention - Guideline No 4 Focal Point to the Basel Convention - Guideline No 5 Focal Point to the Basel Convention - Guideline No 6 Focal Point to the Basel Convention - Guideline No 7 Focal Point to the Basel Convention - Guideline No 8 Focal Point to the Basel Convention - Guideline No 9 Focal Point to the Basel Convention - Guideline No 10 Focal Point to the Basel Convention - Guideline No 11 VVA - Consolidated Waste Lists Genehmigungsbehörden / competent authorities Dr. Joachim Wuttke: Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Versandinformationen DE Versandinformationen EN Begleitformular
The UBA’s motto, For our environment (“Für Mensch und Umwelt”), sums up our mission pretty well, we feel. In this video we give an insight into our work.
