EU moves to digital waste shipments, with a transition period for Annex VII
From 21 May 2026, all EU operators involved in transboundary waste shipments will be required to submit notifications and Annexes VII exclusively in digital format.
On 27 March, the European Commission convened the waste shipment expert group, bringing together EU Member State representatives and key stakeholders. Held just two months before the 21 May 2026 deadline — when significant new waste shipment rules come into effect [1] — the meeting addressed the upcoming launch of the Digital Waste Shipment System (DIWASS) and transition measures to ensure compliance and operational continuity.
The European Commission provided an update on the ongoing development and deployment of DIWASS, expressing confidence in the system’s readiness for the upcoming transition. This responds to the concerns voiced by FEAD and other involved actors about operational preparedness and potential challenges. To support stakeholders, the Commission announced that instructional videos on how to use DIWASS will be published in the coming weeks on its official website.
New digital obligations from 21 May 2026
From 21 May 2026, all EU operators involved in transboundary waste shipments will be required to submit notifications and Annexes VII exclusively in digital format. This can be done through one of the following channels:
- Directly via DIWASS (Digital Waste Shipment System),
- National digital platforms interconnected with DIWASS, or
- Alternative compatible software solutions.
EU Member States were tasked with notifying the European Commission of their chosen approach by 3 February 2026, specifying the option applicable within the remit of each competent authority. In the coming weeks, the Commission will publish an overview of the choices reported by the various competent authorities. Additionally, third countries and operators based outside the EU will be able to access DIWASS on a voluntary basis.
Concerns over DIWASS implementation timelines
While fully endorsing the importance of a timely implementation of DIWASS as a key tool for harmonisation and transparency, affected stakeholders have expressed significant concerns about its imminent implementation.[2] As of today, the system is not yet ready, and the registration of thousands of operators has yet to commence. At the 27 March meeting, the European Commission announced that registrations would open on 21 April 2026 — leaving EU Member States with just one month to process and approve all submissions before the system becomes mandatory.
Paolo Campanella, Secretary general of FEAD stated: ‘The digitalisation of waste shipments in the EU is a milestone for modern waste management, which is strongly supported by FEAD as we recognise its potential to enhance efficiency, transparency, and compliance across the sector. However, the success of this transition depends on a collective, coordinated effort, and a reliable technical infrastructure. With less than two months remaining before the digitalisation obligation takes effect, uncertainties persist, which are undermining the readiness of operators and authorities. FEAD had advocated for all operators to receive appropriate training and access to testing of DIWASS before its mandatory implementation. Regrettably, this is still not consistently happening due to limited resources of competent authorities and delays in the technical development of the system, leaving operators without the necessary tools and preparation. We therefore urge the Commission to prioritise resolving these challenges and ensure that the digitalisation process is both practical and inclusive for all parties involved’.
Transition period for Annex VII and FEAD recommendations
To accommodate the concerns expressed by industry stakeholders and Member States, the European Commission proposed a transition period for Annex VII shipments, allowing these to continue in paper format until the end of 2026. The proposal for a transition period for Annex VII will be included in the minutes of the expert group meeting as a reference and will be available on the Commission’s website.
FEAD strongly welcomes this flexibility as a necessary measure to ensure a smooth transition towards digitalisation. This possibility can also temporarily alleviate the strong concerns expressed by numerous industry stakeholders regarding the new requirement to submit Annex VII two days in advance [3].
However, FEAD encourages operators to consult their competent authorities to confirm whether they will follow this recommendation and under which conditions. Moreover, FEAD recommends to all operators who rely exclusively on Annex VII waste shipments, to proactively prepare for the digital transition. This includes ensuring timely registration in DIWASS and being ready to use the system as soon as possible to avoid operational disruptions at the end of the transition period. In parallel, FEAD — alongside the other involved stakeholders — will continue advocating for the European Commission to repeal the two-day advance submission requirement for Annex VII shipments. The goal is to establish a practical, long-term solution that better aligns with operational realities.
Notification procedures
For notification procedures, no transition period is foreseen, and operators will be required to use DIWASS starting 21 May 2026. The European Commission assured stakeholders that DIWASS will be fully tested and prepared to handle a high peak of requests on day one. Stress tests are currently underway.
During the expert group meeting, FEAD raised strong concerns about the potential impact of any delays in the implementation of DIWASS. Due to the transition rules under the Waste Shipments Regulation, many competent authorities have gradually limited or discouraged new notifications since early 2026. Some operators have also postponed submissions due to uncertainty around processing timelines, risking the need to resubmit and restart procedures if files are not handled in time. FEAD warned that this could lead to an accumulation of notifications, resulting in a surge of requests on 21 May as well as severe operational disruptions for waste management if DIWASS faces even minor delays.
Recommendations for operators To mitigate risks, FEAD strongly recommends all affected operators to ensure registration in DIWASS as soon as possible once the platform opens on 21 April, and to seek guidance and training from their competent authorities. Operators should note that in some Member States, those who are already registered in national digital waste shipment platforms may be transferred automatically to DIWASS, releasing them from the burden to conduct a new registration. This must be clarified with Member States authorities to avoid misunderstandings or duplications. FEAD will continue to monitor challenges, centralise feedback, and will ensure timely communication to the European Commission. Waste management operators are encouraged to reach out through their national associations or directly to FEAD for support
[1] The new Regulation on waste shipments entered into force on 20 May 2024, but many provisions only apply from 21 May 2026, see https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32024R1157#pbl_1
[2] See joint letter from 20 March 2026, https://fead.be/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/20260320-Joint-letter-to-request-smooth-implementation-WSR.pdf
[3] Second demand included in the joint letter from 20 March 2026, https://fead.be/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/20260320-Joint-letter-to-request-smooth-implementation-WSR.pdf
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