Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste

What is the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste?

The transboundary movement of hazardous waste refers to the transportation of hazardous waste by way of importing or exporting between countries. Hazardous waste is essentially waste that contains dangerous properties that make it harmful to human health or the environment (for example waste that is explosive, flammable, toxic, etc.).

These requirements aim to: 

• Minimize hazardous waste generation
• Control and reduce international movement of hazardous waste
• Ensure that waste disposal and recovery is conducted in an environmentally sound manner as close as possible to the source, and
• Prevent and punish illegal traffic or trade of hazardous waste

The requirements mainly stem from the UN Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal of 1989 which defines and classifies hazardous waste, introduces a global regulatory control regime for the shipment of hazardous waste and other wastes and establishes worldwide notification requirements for the movement of hazardous waste.

Hazardous waste is essentially waste that contains dangerous properties that make it harmful to human health or the environment (for example waste that is explosive, flammable, toxic, etc.).

The primary legal requirements include:

• A prior notification procedure for the proposed shipment
• General information requirements
• Waste movement documentation
• Prior consent approval in the country of import or transit
• Marking and labelling of the waste
• Packaging of waste
• Import/ export waste permits and licensing
• Proper waste disposal or recovery
• Warranties/ guarantees

Comply With The Basel Convention

Our Regulatory Coverage for The Transport of Hazardous Waste

Compliance & Risks’ coverage of transboundary movement of hazardous waste requirements are historically comprehensive and includes, but is not limited to:

• UN: Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, 1989
• Australia: Export and Import of Hazardous Waste Regulations, SR 1996 No. 2
• China: Ban on the Import of Solid Waste, Announcement No. 53, 2020
• EU: Waste Shipments, Regulation (EU) 2024/1157
• Italy: Waste Traceability System and National Electronic Waste Traceability Register, Regulation, 2023
• OECD: Control of Transboundary Movements of Waste Destined for Recovery Operations, Council Decision C(2001)107/Final
• Pacific Islands: Waigani Convention, 1995
• Canada: Cross-border Movement of Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Material, Regulations SOR/2021-25
• EU: Export of Waste to Certain Non-OECD Decision Countries, Regulation (EC) No 1418/2007

We cover standards for our core products that are available from our partner Accuris. These are available through our Product Compliance Solution.

Why Compliance & Risks?

• Effectively Meet Global Requirements
• Maintain Compliance
• Keep Track on Proposed Regulations