Project Description: Strengthening Global Compliance in Transboundary Waste Shipments
A key focus of the IMPEL Waste & TFS Expert Team is ensuring compliance with regulations surrounding the transboundary movement of waste. A significant portion of waste shipments is sent to countries outside of Europe, making it essential to establish strong relationships with authorities in these destination countries. However, many IMPEL members have limited contact with these distant regions.
Environmental damage caused by illegal waste dumping, such as e-waste in Africa and plastic in Asia, is a serious issue, with illegal trafficking of waste occurring frequently. The situation is made more complex by recent political changes, such as China's import ban, which has led to challenges for European authorities in keeping up with evolving practices. In this context, international cooperation is crucial.
IMPEL Waste & TFS members also face challenges due to differences between the European Waste Shipment Regulation (WSR) and the Basel Convention, particularly regarding waste classification and export/import restrictions. Additionally, in cases of illegal shipments, there is a lack of effective collaboration between authorities across different continents.
The primary goals of this project are to strengthen international collaboration by enhancing communication between IMPEL members and environmental authorities outside Europe, particularly in hazardous waste management and enforcement. It aims to combat illegal waste shipments, focusing on preventing the dumping of hazardous and non-recyclable waste in developing countries. The project also seeks to align European and international legislation, such as the Waste Shipment Regulation (WSR) and the Basel Convention, ensuring consistent enforcement across borders. Additionally, it aims to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and best practices, and to build capacity in destination countries by providing tools and training to prevent illegal shipments and manage legitimate waste transfers effectively.
To assist its members, the IMPEL Waste & TFS Expert Team supports and collaborates with TFS networks outside Europe such as ENFORCE, Asian Network, World Customs Organisation etc. Please click below for more information about the networks that we collaborate:
👉 ENFORCE
Recent news: ENFORCE has released a publication recently on Illegal Traffic of Waste!
Recent activities: Workshops / 2024 Workşhop
Recent activities: Operation DEMETER X in 2024
👉 Other Networking Opportunities
Project Reports:
- 2024/ Project Report on Network Collabration:
This report outlines the operational and strategic work of IMPEL's Waste & TFS Expert Team in 2024, focusing on network collaboration and the exchange of expertise with international partners. The team actively participated in various international meetings concerning waste management and the enforcement of environmental law, such as those of the Asian Network, the WCO Enforcement Committee, ENPE, and workshops related to the Basel Convention. Furthermore, the report highlights IMPEL's involvement in Operation DEMETER X, a global customs operation targeting illegal shipments of waste and ozone-depleting substances, where significant seizures and international cooperation were achieved.