A targeted amendment to the European Union's Waste Shipment Regulation will enter into force on 30 July, allowing mixed municipal waste to continue being exported to Switzerland for recovery operations, including recycling and energy recovery.
The European Commission's Directorate-General for Environment announced the change on Friday, saying it will preserve long-standing cross-border waste management arrangements while maintaining the EU's environmental standards.
Waste exports
Under the current rules, exports of mixed municipal waste for recovery to countries outside the European Economic Area, including Switzerland, have been prohibited since 21 May 2026.
The amendment creates an exception that enables existing cooperation between EU Member States and Switzerland to continue, in line with the EU principle that waste should be managed as close as possible to where it is generated.
According to the Commission, the measure is intended to prevent disruption to established waste management practices, particularly in border regions of Austria, France, Germany and Italy.
Around 200,000 tonnes of mixed municipal waste are transported annually from those areas to Switzerland for recovery, the Commission said.
Practical solution
The Directorate-General for Environment described the amendment as a practical solution that avoids unnecessary burdens on local authorities and waste management operators while preserving high environmental standards.
The revised rules apply only to waste exported for recovery purposes, such as recycling or energy recovery. Existing restrictions on exports intended for landfill or incineration remain unchanged and continue to be subject to stricter rules.
The Commission said the amendment supports the EU's simplification agenda as well as its circular economy objectives by ensuring waste management remains both efficient and sustainable.
The EU has regulated cross-border waste shipments since 1993 to ensure they are carried out safely, transparently and in an environmentally responsible manner.
The current Waste Shipment Regulation entered into force on 20 May 2024 as part of broader efforts to ensure the European Union takes greater responsibility for managing its own waste.
Source: CNA
