Guidance and tools (12)

A crucial element in the transition to the Circular Economy are the innovations at production and recycling facilities that aim at resource efficiency, the prevention of waste and the use of production residues or materials recovered from waste as secondary raw materials. A key condition for making these circular innovations work is to better connect policy, law and regulation on the ground. This guidance was developed to support regulators, policy- and law-makers and businesses in enabling and carrying through such innovations and rise to some of the commonly shared challenges.

The report contains the minutes of the MIW&IMPEL Conference, where the “Guidance for regulators on enabling innovations for the circular economy (prevention and recycling of waste)” has been launched.

In view of problematic waste streams worldwide, notably of electronic waste, end-of-life vehicles and their components from Europe to Africa, waste shipment experts nowadays agree on the necessity to target more effectively the sources of illegal waste streams and the “upstream” facilities where such waste is collected, stored and/or treated prior to export. The IMPEL-TFS “Waste Sites” project, which started in early 2011, aims at a better understanding of those waste streams and facilities, at an exchange of information and best practices, and at the development of guidance on site identification, inspection and follow-up to promote compliance.

The present Waste Sites Manual is based on the experience of the project team, an analysis of existing guidance documents, questionnaires sent to IMPEL member countries and the results of an expert workshop in Frankfurt a.M. (Germany). It provides an introduction into the economics of the illegal waste trade and the legal context for waste sites, and highlights the importance of proactive measures, such as awareness-raising campaigns and the collaboration with customs authorities, trade associations and shippinglines. Guidance is then given on the identification of problematic waste sites and examples of successful methods used in some EU countries, such as the Waste Stream Approach. The central part of the Manual is devoted to the preparation and execution of site inspections, focusing on inspection methods, necessary information and contacts, distinction of waste and non-waste, and safety aspects. The last chapter of the document addresses the necessary follow-up to a site inspection. The text of the Manual is supplemented by 11 Annexes which include decision trees, checklists, relevant forms,
tables of procedural requirements and useful weblinks.

This report examines the application of REACH Regulation (EU) No 1907/2006 to by-products and End-of-Waste materials within the Circular Economy. The report clarifies the relationship between REACH and waste legislation, specifically the Waste Framework Directive, providing practical examples and guidance on determining REACH obligations for waste-derived substances. The report covers key REACH aspects, including registration, authorization, restrictions, and exemptions, with a dedicated section on recycled plastics and enforcement in recovery plants.

This IMPEL guidance document offers insights on the definition and application of by-products under the Waste Framework Directive, which are production residues not classified as waste if they meet specific conditions. The report addresses challenges in determining by-product status, discusses national practices, and highlights the relevance of industrial symbiosis and the Waste Shipment Regulation. A practical tool is included in the annex to assist in ensuring compliance with by-product regulations.

This IMPEL guidance aims to assist regulators in aligning the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) with the principles of a circular economy . It outlines what an IED application should include regarding circular economy aspects and suggests how regulators can set permit conditions to enhance circularity1. The guidance also introduces the concept of a Circularity Index and a Circular Plan to monitor and improve the circular performance of IED installations.

This report addresses the challenge faced by regulators in the implementation of recently issued BAT Conclusions on waste incineration within IED permits.  To provide practical guidance, the project has developed templates for a Self-Monitoring Plan, a Self-Monitoring Report, and a checklist for inspectors. These tools aim to streamline the monitoring and inspection processes related to waste incineration facilities.

The guidance provides detailed information on the Landfill Directive and related Council Decisions, and outlines best practices for various aspects of landfill management, such as waste acceptance criteria, stable non-reactive waste, asbestos handling, biogas control, and groundwater protection. Furthermore, the book details the organization and preparation of inspections, including desk studies and on-site procedures, and addresses crucial elements like financial guarantees, landfill operator self-monitoring, and reporting requirements, all contributing to a more consistent and effective regulatory regime for landfills.

Inventory Analysis on Landfill site management across The Europe

The report examines the inconsistencies in implementing the Landfill Directive. It focuses on critical areas such as waste acceptance procedures, sampling plans, pre-treatment requirements, and monitoring protocols, revealing different national approaches that can lead to uneven enforcement and environmental protection. The report proposes recommendations for the European Commission and Member States to address the identified gaps and promote harmonized landfill management practices across the EU.

This report presents the findings of a survey conducted among IMPEL members to assess the implementation of Waste Incineration Best Available Techniques (BAT) Conclusions (BATc). The survey aimed to capture the current state of art in applying these BAT Conclusions by gathering experiences from permit writers and inspectors . The results of this survey will be used as the first step in developing practical tools to aid regulators in their work with waste incineration facilities.

This report focuses on the planning of environmental inspections at waste recycling installations using a risk-based approach. It adapts the IRAM tool for risk assessment and defines a standard set of risk criteria to determine the frequency of inspections. The report outlines the planning cycle of environmental inspections and discusses strategies and objectives for inspection bodies to ensure compliance and promote waste recovery. 

The report includes an analysis of the different approaches to evaluate the need of a treatment before landfilling, an analysis of criteria and technologies for waste treatment,  permitting instructions for the mixing of the waste - observations on a common methodology to evaluate ANC when dealing with Stable non reactive waste, suggestions for a proper inspection to assess compliance with treatment of both MSW and industrial waste.