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DIWASS Implementation Timeline

Regulatory Milestones for the Digital Waste Shipment System under Regulation (EU) 2024/1157

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

Key Points​

  • The Digital Waste Shipment System (DIWASS) was introduced under Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 on shipments of waste.
  • The regulation establishes a transition period allowing authorities and operators to prepare for digital procedures.
  • The technical requirements for the system are defined in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1290.
  • 21 May 2026 marks the mandatory application date for electronic waste shipment documentation.

Overview​

This page sets out the main regulatory milestones for the implementation of the Digital Waste Shipment System (DIWASS). The timeline reflects the transition from paper-based procedures under Regulation (EC) 1013/2006 to mandatory electronic documentation under Regulation (EU) 2024/1157.

Implementation of DIWASS requires coordination between the European Commission (which develops and operates the central platform), national competent authorities (which register sites, determine access arrangements, and process notifications), economic operators (exporters, importers, carriers, recovery and disposal facilities), and software providers (who integrate national or commercial systems with DIWASS). The timeline below summarises the key dates and measures that shape this transition.

Regulatory Timeline​

April 2024 — Adoption of the New Waste Shipment Regulation​

The European Union adopted Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on shipments of waste. This regulation introduces mandatory electronic procedures for shipment documentation and establishes the legal basis for the Digital Waste Shipment System (DIWASS).

The regulation replaces Regulation (EC) 1013/2006 on shipments of waste and sets out the framework for electronic submission and exchange of notifications, consents, movement documents, Annex VII documentation, and related information. It provides for a transition period during which the Commission and Member States prepare the technical infrastructure and operators adapt their processes.

May 2024 — Entry into Force​

The regulation entered into force following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. A transition period was provided to allow preparation of the DIWASS system, adoption of the implementing act specifying technical and operational requirements, and adaptation by Member States and economic operators. The mandatory application date for electronic procedures was set for a later date to allow this preparation.

July 2025 — Adoption of Implementing Regulation​

The European Commission adopted Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1290 establishing technical and operational requirements for the Digital Waste Shipment System (DIWASS). This implementing regulation defines:

  • Technical requirements for the DIWASS platform, including the graphical user interface and the interoperability hub.
  • Operational procedures for electronic submission, exchange, and storage of shipment documentation.
  • Interoperability standards enabling national systems and commercial software to connect with DIWASS and exchange data in a standardised format.

The implementing regulation provides the technical foundation for Member States and software providers to develop or adapt their systems before the mandatory application date.

January 2026 — Publication of Technical Documentation​

Technical documentation describing API integration and system interoperability was published by the European Commission. This documentation enables national systems and commercial software to connect with DIWASS and to exchange the data required under the implementing regulation.

Publication of this documentation allows:

  • National systems operated by competent authorities to implement the connection to the DIWASS interoperability hub.
  • Commercial software providers to integrate their solutions with DIWASS so that operators can submit and manage documentation through third-party applications.

The publication of technical documentation in early 2026 clarified how national systems and commercial software may connect to the DIWASS interoperability hub. ESR provides a detailed explanation of this architecture in the DIWASS System Architecture guide.

Operators and software providers rely on this documentation to complete integration and testing before the mandatory application date.

21 May 2026 — Mandatory Application of DIWASS​

21 May 2026 — Mandatory application of DIWASS

From this date, the following obligations apply:

  • Shipment documentation must be transmitted electronically. Paper-based submission of notifications, movement documents, and Annex VII documentation no longer satisfies the legal requirement for shipments within the scope of Regulation (EU) 2024/1157.
  • Notification procedures must be processed digitally. Notifications, acknowledgements of receipt, consent decisions, and related communications must be submitted and exchanged through DIWASS or through systems connected to it.
  • Annex VII documentation must be generated electronically. Green-listed waste shipments must be accompanied by Annex VII documents created and transmitted through DIWASS or an interconnected system.

Electronic transmission may take place through:

  • The DIWASS interface (central EU web portal),
  • National systems connected to DIWASS via the interoperability hub, or
  • Commercial software integrated with DIWASS in accordance with the implementing regulation.

Operators must ensure that their chosen access method is operational and that all relevant sites are registered before this date.

Transition Provisions​

The regulation and implementing act establish transitional arrangements for procedures and consents initiated under the previous legal framework.

Ongoing notification procedures. Notification procedures initiated under Regulation (EC) 1013/2006 before the mandatory application date may be completed under the rules applicable at the time of initiation, in accordance with the transition provisions set out in Regulation (EU) 2024/1157. Operators and competent authorities should confirm the exact scope of these provisions with the relevant authorities.

Validity of existing consents. Consents granted under Regulation (EC) 1013/2006 remain valid until their expiry or until the completion of the shipments to which they relate, subject to the specific transition rules in the new regulation. Shipments that have already received consent under the old regulation may continue to be executed in accordance with that consent.

Completion deadlines. Shipments initiated before the mandatory application of DIWASS may be subject to specific completion deadlines or procedural requirements. Operators should verify with their competent authority how transition rules apply to their shipments.

Implementation Challenges​

A number of practical challenges have been raised in relation to the DIWASS implementation timeline.

The preparation period for operators has been short in many Member States. Technical documentation for API integration was published only in January 2026, leaving fewer than five months for national systems and commercial software to complete development, testing, and rollout before the mandatory date.

Coordination between Member States has been required to ensure that national systems connect to the interoperability hub and that registration and access arrangements are communicated to operators in a timely manner. Differences in national implementation schedules may affect when operators in a given Member State can access DIWASS or interconnected systems.

Integration of national systems with DIWASS depends on the technical capacity of each Member State and on the availability of resources to implement the connection. Delays in one or more Member States may affect the ability of operators to use national systems for cross-border procedures from 21 May 2026.

This section is presented as neutral commentary for informational purposes. Operators should monitor official communications from the European Commission and their competent authority for updates on implementation progress and any guidance on transition arrangements.

What Operators Should Do Now​

Operators 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 in DIWASS, how to initiate registration, and the expected timeframe. Registration must typically be completed before documentation can be submitted.

Determine system access method. Establish whether the operator will use the DIWASS interface directly, a national shipment management system, or commercial software. Confirm with the competent authority which option is available or required in each jurisdiction.

Prepare internal procedures for electronic documentation. Update internal processes 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. 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, verify that it is (or will be) connected to DIWASS in accordance with Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1290 and that it supports all required procedures (notification, Annex VII, movement documents, certificates). Confirm with the provider the timeline for full compliance.

For a central overview of DIWASS, see the main Digital Waste Shipment System (DIWASS) page.

Key References​

  • Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 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 resources

European Shipment Review provides regulatory information for compliance purposes. This timeline is intended as a reference for operators and authorities preparing for DIWASS implementation. For jurisdiction-specific deadlines and transition rules, consult the relevant competent authority.