Waste import and export environmental legislation

EU-Exit: From UK Government

This page provides links to the full text of key pieces of environmental legislation relating to importing and exporting waste. The websites hosting the legislation may list amendments separately.

If you are setting up an environmental management system (EMS) for your business, you can use this list to start compiling your legal register. Your legal adviser or environmental consultant will be able to tell you if other environmental legislation applies to your specific business.

Environmental management systems and environmental reports

UK wide waste import and export legislation

The International Waste Shipments (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 These Regulations make amendments to legislation in the field of environmental protection and, in particular, amend legislation on international waste shipments. 

European Community (EC) Regulation on shipments of waste 1013/2006 European legislation that provides the framework for controls on importing and exporting waste.

EC Regulation 669/2008 on completing Annex IC of Regulation 1013/2006 European legislation that provides specific instructions for completing notification and movement documents under Regulation 1013/2006.

Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations SI 2007/1711 Sets out rules for shipping waste, including within the European Community, and importing and exporting to and from countries outside the EC.

Transfrontier Shipment of Waste (Amendment) Regulations SI 2008/9 Amends 2007/1711 by introducing new penalties for failing to provide proper documentation when exporting waste for recovery.

Transfrontier Shipment of Waste (Amendment) Regulations 2014 SI 861 Amends the Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 2007 to redefine the competent authorities and transfer some of the responsibilities from the Secretary of State to the Environment Agency, SEPA, DOENI; and Environment Agency to Natural Resources Wales. Provide powers for HMRC to disclose information to competent authorities for enforcement purposes; allow Border Force to stop and detain waste for up to five working days in prescribed circumstances. Make changes to the fees for notification of waste shipments starting or finishing in Northern Ireland.

The International Waste Shipments (Amendment of Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 and 1418/2007) Regulations 2021 amends the Annex to Commission Regulation (EC) No 1418/2007 and Annex 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006. The changes set out export control procedures for a new category of sorted, non-hazardous, plastic waste classified as B3011, which has previously been a subset of classification B3010; and removes references to plastic waste classified as B3010, which is no longer a classification used in the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, adopted on 22nd March 1989(1 ) (the “Basel Convention”).

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