Project Description
As part of the broader European Green Deal strategy, the project aims to support the transition toward a more resource-efficient, circular economy through the development and implementation of practical guidance, enhanced regulatory cooperation, and the application of innovative technologies.
The project moves through the waste hierarchy steps, in order to achieve a common understanding of the key points of the Waste Framework Directive and homogenize behaviours across Member States.
The work plans address the actions of the EU environmental policy, as mainly outlined in the New Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP), in the programme of the Environmental Compliance and Governance Forum as well as in the Waste Framework Directive (Directive (EU) 2018/851). The adoption of guidance documents for the ad hoc application of the harmonised conditions established at Union level for waste management is needed as well as initiatives to improve cooperation with Member States for better implementation of EU waste legislation.
Project History
The project brought together inspectors and permit writers to share knowledge, identify good practices, and create useful tools and guidance.
The recast of the WFD clarified rules on by-products and those to enable recycled materials to be reclassified as non-waste whenever they meet a set of general conditions (end of waste).
One key point of the project has focussed on monitoring of Member States’ application of the revised rules on end-of-waste status and by-products, supporting cross-border initiatives for cooperation to harmonise national end-of-waste and by-product criteria.
Furthermore, an End-of waste database has been created, to help permit writers, inspectors and operators to find information on end-of waste case-by-case decisions or resulting from self-assessment verification.
The database is one of the possible tools to answer to the following indications of the WFD 2018 Article 6: “Member States may make information about case-by-case decisions and about the results of verification by competent authorities publicly available by electronic means”.
September 2018 on implementation of the circular economy package” addresses the interface between chemical, product and waste legislation. One of the goal of the project has been to better understand the interface between waste and product legislation and giving practical guidance on how to apply REACH regulation to secondary raw material.
Another key point tackled is the integration of circular economy practices in the Review of the IED Directive in upcoming BREFs, which EU Member States have to reflect when issuing permits for industrial installations, thus promoting innovation in industrial processes and helping to reduce waste generation, boost recycling and reduce resource use. This project has looked at how to achieve circular economy in IED Installations, introducing concepts of a Circularity Index and a Circular Plan to monitor and improve the circular performance of IED installations under the principles of a circular economy.
Following the principles established in art. 34 of the Directive 2008/98/EC, “Establishments or undertakings which carry out waste treatment operations […] shall be subject to appropriate periodic inspections by the competent authorities”.and of the Recommendation 331/2001/EC (indicating that Member States must ensure the planning of environmental inspection activities) a Plan for inspection at waste installations based on risk assessment has been focussed.
Waste Incineration, as one of the step of the waste hierarchy, has also been considered. BAT Conclusions on waste incineration have been recently implemented and their relevant application in IED permits is a challenge for regulators. The need for practical guidance for regulators, permit writers and inspectors was widely felt.
Training session have been delivered on waste management topics according to the training needs indicated by the hosting organizations.
Next Cycle(2025-2027):
Stemming from the New circular economy action plan (CEAP) as one of the main building blocks of the European Green Deal, the project keeps on following some of the main aims of the measures introduced under the new action plan, focussing on the sectors where the potential for circularity is higher and the needs of practitioners more felt.
The WMCE umbrella project brings together the following sub-projects:
- Artificial intelligence & waste management: exploring new developments and possibilities
- Organic waste recycling
- Textile and strategic End of waste fluxes
- Knowledge Exchange Programme & Waste Management and Circular Economy: Performing joint inspections and learning from the ground
- Plastic End of Waste: creating a level playing field
- Waste recycling Risk Based Inspection Plan Phase II: Training authorities to design effective, data-driven inspection plans for waste facilities.
- Applying EU waste legislation to circular business models: Supporting regulators in overseeing eco-innovative business practices that reduce waste and extend product life.
-Guidance Making the Circular Economy Work/ 2018
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.
-REACH Regulation and Circular Economy Guideline/2023
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. Please refer 📑Briefing REACH &CE Guidence for a quick overview of the guidance.
A workshop has been arranged to further explore the topic of the connection of REACH with secondary raw materials. Presentations can be found at the following link:
-WCME Waste Incineration - Survey Report/ 2024
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.
-WMCE Waste Incineration Practical tools Report/2025
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. 📑Briefing for Waste Incineration Practical Tool
-WMCE Risk based Waste Inspection Plan /2025
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.
-WMCE By-product final Report/ 2025
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.
-WMCE IMPEL Guidance on IED&CE / 2025
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. 📑Briefing IED&CE Guidence