Adequate waste management systems are essential for a healthy environment. Waste that cannot be prevented must be safely processed, recovered, or thrown away. The OECD facilitates the safe trade of waste beyond national borders.
Several amendments entered into effect on 1 January 2021 pursuant to Appendices 3 and 4 of the OECD Council Decision [OECD/LEGAL/0266] relating to plastic waste.
See below a table of national controls for transboundary movements of non-hazardous plastic waste (as of 12 December 2023).
Several amendments will enter into effect on 1 January 2025 pursuant to Appendices 3 and 4 of the OECD Council Decision [OECD/LEGAL/0266] relating to e-waste. Read the announcement here.
Since March 1992, transboundary movements of wastes destined for recovery operations between member countries of the OECD have been supervised and controlled under a specific intra-OECD Control System.
Established by the OECD Council Decision of the Council on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Wastes Destined for Recovery Operations [OECD/LEGAL/0266], the OECD Control System for waste recovery facilitates the trade of recyclables in an environmentally sound and economically efficient manner. It uses a simplified procedure and a risk-based approach to assess the necessary level of control for materials. The OECD Control System is closely interlinked with the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal.
Wastes exported outside the OECD area – whether for recovery or final disposal – do not benefit from this simplified control procedure.
The OECD Control System is based on two types of control procedures:
1. Green Control Procedure: Wastes presenting low risk for human health and the environment. These are not subject to any other controls than those normally applied in commercial transactions
2. Amber Control Procedure: Wastes presenting sufficient risk to justify their control.
Wastes subject to control procedures are listed in Appendices 3 and 4 to the OECD Council Decision: the Green and Amber lists of wastes. The controls of waste shipments are carried out by national authorities and Customs Offices as appropriate.
Adherents to OECD/LEGAL/0266:
All OECD Member countries are Adherents to the Decision (OECD/LEGAL/0266). Colombia has become an Adherent to OECD/LEGAL/0266 with a specific timeframe for implementation. Therefore, it is currently not participating in the Decision’s control system.
Note: Click on the arrows below the interface to switch between (i) Competent Authorities and Recovery Facilities and (ii) Pre-consented Waste Details.
The OECD Database on Transboundary Movements of Wastes Destined for Recovery Operations includes relevant information to complete the forms for notification and movement documents required by national competent authorities; and is updated by the OECD.
The database (updated as of 28 October 2024) is divided into two parts:
