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Digital Waste Shipment System (DIWASS)

EU Digital Platform for Transboundary Waste Shipment Procedures

Last updated: March 2026 | Regulatory basis: Regulation (EU) 2024/1157; Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1290

NEW — DIWASS API documentation: technical reference for SOAP web services, reference data, notifications, movement documents, Annex VII, and synchronisation. DIWASS Glossary: key terms and concepts.

Key Points​

  • DIWASS (Digital Waste Shipment System) is the European Union's digital platform for managing documentation related to transboundary shipments of waste.
  • The system enables electronic submission and exchange of shipment notifications, movement documents, and Annex VII documentation.
  • DIWASS is introduced under Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 on shipments of waste.
  • From 21 May 2026, electronic processing of shipment documentation through DIWASS or interconnected systems becomes mandatory.
  • Operators may access DIWASS directly via the EU interface or through national systems and commercial software connected to the platform.

Overview​

The Digital Waste Shipment System (DIWASS) is the EU-wide electronic platform through which operators and competent authorities submit and exchange information and documents relating to transboundary shipments of waste. It was created to digitise waste shipment administration, replace paper-based procedures, and increase transparency and traceability of cross-border waste movements.

The system supports coordination between Member State authorities by providing a single technical framework for the exchange of notifications, consents, movement documents, and completion certificates. It supports both the notification procedure (prior written notification and consent for non-green-listed waste) and Annex VII documentation (accompanying green-listed waste shipments). By centralising data exchange and linking national systems through an interoperability hub, DIWASS allows Member States to maintain or introduce national shipment management systems while ensuring that all required information is transmitted in a standardised electronic format.

The obligation to use DIWASS derives from Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on shipments of waste (the Waste Shipment Regulation). The Regulation introduces digital procedures for waste shipment documentation and requires that, from a specified date, notifications, consents, acknowledgements, objections, movement documents, Annex VII documents, and related information and decisions be transmitted and exchanged electronically—either via DIWASS or through national or commercial systems interconnected with it.

The technical and operational requirements for DIWASS are established in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1290 establishing technical and operational requirements for the Digital Waste Shipment System (DIWASS). This implementing regulation sets out the functional and technical specifications for the platform, including the interoperability hub and the interface with national and commercial systems.

Mandatory Application Date​

21 May 2026 — Mandatory application of DIWASS

From this date, electronic documentation for waste shipments within the scope of Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 becomes mandatory. Paper-based procedures are replaced; notifications, Annex VII documents, movement documents, and certificates must be created and exchanged electronically through DIWASS or through systems connected to it.

Operators must prepare their systems and workflows before this date. This includes confirming with the competent authority how to access DIWASS (direct interface, national system, or commercial software), ensuring that all relevant sites are registered, and training staff on the electronic procedures. Delays in preparation may result in the inability to submit or complete documentation after the mandatory date.

System Architecture​

DIWASS operates through two main components that together support both direct use by operators and integration with national and commercial systems.

DIWASS Graphical User Interface​

Operators may access the system directly through a web-based portal (graphical user interface) provided by the European Commission. The DIWASS interface allows users to register, submit notifications, create and manage Annex VII documents, complete movement documents, and view the status of procedures. This route is intended for operators who do not use a national shipment management system or commercial software connected to DIWASS. Access is via personal user accounts; all documentation is managed within the central platform.

Interoperability Hub​

DIWASS also functions as a data exchange platform connecting national systems and commercial software solutions. The interoperability hub is the central node through which Member State systems and third-party software connect to DIWASS. Data are exchanged in accordance with the technical specifications set out in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1290. This architecture allows Member States to maintain existing national systems while ensuring that all required information is transmitted to and from DIWASS in a standardised format. Operators using a national system or commercial software that is connected to the hub do not necessarily need a direct DIWASS user account; they interact with the system through their national or commercial interface.

DIWASS operates as a digital interoperability platform connecting operators, authorities, and national waste shipment systems. ESR provides a detailed guide explaining the technical architecture of the DIWASS system: DIWASS System Architecture.

Commercial software that integrates with DIWASS does so via SOAP web services. For technical documentation of the DIWASS API — including reference data, notifications, movement documents, Annex VII, attachments, and synchronisation — see the DIWASS API documentation. The DIWASS Architecture & Lifecycles page provides diagrams of the integration model and document lifecycles.

Access Pathways for Operators​

Operators may interact with DIWASS in three principal ways. The applicable pathway depends on the Member State and on the arrangements put in place by the competent authority.

Direct access through the DIWASS interface​

Operators may register and use the central EU web portal directly. They create a user account, complete registration of sites with the competent authority where required, and submit and manage all documentation through the DIWASS interface. This option is available in all Member States and is typically used where no national system is offered or where the operator chooses not to use national or commercial software.

Access through national shipment management systems​

In Member States where the competent authority operates a national system interconnected with DIWASS, operators may be required or permitted to use the national platform for notifications, Annex VII documents, and related procedures. In this case, the operator interacts with the national system; the national system exchanges data with DIWASS via the interoperability hub. Operators should confirm with their competent authority whether they must use the national system and how registration and submission work.

Access through commercial software connected to DIWASS​

Businesses may use third-party software solutions that are connected to DIWASS through the interoperability hub. The software provider manages the technical connection; the operator uses the software to prepare and submit documentation without maintaining a separate DIWASS account. The competent authority in each Member State determines whether and under what conditions commercial software may be used. Operators should verify that their software provider has implemented the DIWASS connection in accordance with the implementing regulation.

Competent authorities are responsible for communicating to economic operators in their territory which access pathway applies and how to register and submit documentation.

Procedures Covered by DIWASS​

Notification procedure​

DIWASS manages the full lifecycle of notified waste shipments (waste requiring prior written notification and consent). The procedure in the system covers:

  • Notification submission — The notifier submits the notification dossier to the competent authority of destination via DIWASS or an interconnected system.
  • Acknowledgement — The competent authority of destination acknowledges receipt electronically.
  • Consent decisions — Competent authorities of destination, export, and transit issue consent, consent with conditions, or objection through the system.
  • Movement documents — For each shipment under a consent, a movement document is completed and recorded in DIWASS.
  • Completion certificates — The consignee and the recovery or disposal facility issue reception and completion certificates, which are recorded in the system and close the procedure.

All steps are carried out electronically; paper-based notification procedures are no longer permitted from 21 May 2026 for shipments within the scope of the Regulation.

Annex VII documentation​

Green-listed waste shipments must be accompanied by an Annex VII document. From 21 May 2026, this document must be created and transmitted electronically through DIWASS or an interconnected system. The document is completed by the arranger, accompanies the shipment, and is updated with carrier transfer and reception information as the shipment progresses. The recovery facility confirms receipt and completion in the system. Paper-based Annex VII documents will no longer satisfy the legal requirement.

Registration of Operators and Sites​

Operators and sites involved in waste shipments must be registered in DIWASS before they can appear in notifications, movement documents, or Annex VII documentation. Registration is a prerequisite for submitting or being named in electronic documentation.

Site registration. Each site (e.g. producer, notifier, recovery or disposal facility) that will appear in a notification or Annex VII document must be registered. Site registration is typically carried out by the competent authority at the request of the operator. Operators should not assume automatic inclusion; they must initiate the registration process with the relevant national competent authority.

Operator identification. Users of the DIWASS interface are identified through personal user accounts. Operators using national or commercial systems may be identified through those systems, which then link to DIWASS. The competent authority specifies the registration and identification requirements in each Member State.

Role of competent authorities. Competent authorities are responsible for registering sites and for communicating to operators how to register and how to access DIWASS. Given the volume of affected operators and the lead time required, operators are advised to contact their competent authority well in advance of 21 May 2026 to initiate registration.

Implementation Challenges​

The rollout of DIWASS has proceeded under significant time pressure. A number of implementation issues have been raised by industry and professional associations.

The technical specifications for API interconnection were published by the European Commission only in January 2026, fewer than five months before the mandatory application date. Operator pre-registration had not commenced in all Member States at the time of publication. This has left a short preparation period for businesses to adapt internal processes, train staff, and integrate systems.

Industry associations have called for a coordinated transition period following 21 May 2026 to allow sufficient time for adaptation, and have requested flexibility on certain procedural requirements (e.g. advance submission deadlines for Annex VII documents). As of the date of this publication, the mandatory date remains in effect; operators should assume that electronic procedures will be required from 21 May 2026 and should prepare accordingly. This section is presented in a neutral tone for informational purposes; operators should monitor official communications from the European Commission and their competent authority for any updates.

Compliance Implications for Operators​

Companies involved in transboundary waste shipments should take the following steps to prepare for the mandatory application of DIWASS:

Confirm registration requirements. Contact the competent authority in the relevant Member State(s) to confirm which sites must be registered, how to initiate registration, and the expected timeframe. Ensure that registration is completed before the date on which documentation will need to be submitted.

Determine access pathway. Confirm with the competent authority whether the operator must use the DIWASS interface directly, a national system, or commercial software. If commercial software is permitted, verify that the provider has implemented the DIWASS connection in accordance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1290.

Prepare internal documentation processes. Update internal procedures for preparing notifications, Annex VII documents, and movement documents so that they support electronic submission and the data requirements of DIWASS or the interconnected system in use.

Train staff on electronic procedures. Ensure that staff responsible for shipment compliance are trained on the relevant system (DIWASS interface, national system, or commercial software) and on the procedural steps and time limits that apply.

Evaluate software solutions. If using or considering commercial software, evaluate whether it is (or will be) connected to DIWASS and whether it supports all required procedures (notification, Annex VII, movement documents, certificates). Confirm with the provider the timeline for full compliance with the implementing regulation.

Implementation Timeline​

A detailed regulatory timeline for the implementation of the Digital Waste Shipment System is available in the ESR guide: DIWASS Implementation Timeline.

Key References​

  • Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 of the European Parliament and of the Council on shipments of waste
  • Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1290 establishing technical and operational requirements for the Digital Waste Shipment System (DIWASS)
  • European Commission — Waste shipment implementation

Legislative References​

[1] Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on shipments of waste

[2] Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1290 establishing technical and operational requirements for the Digital Waste Shipment System (DIWASS)

European Shipment Review provides regulatory information for compliance purposes. This page serves as the central DIWASS reference on ESR. Operators should consult their national competent authority for jurisdiction-specific access and registration requirements.