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Roles and Responsibilities in EU Waste Shipments

Regulatory Responsibilities of Operators and Authorities in Transboundary Waste Shipment Procedures

Last updated: March 2026 | Regulatory basis: Regulation (EU) 2024/1157

Key Points​

  • Transboundary waste shipments involve multiple actors, each with defined regulatory responsibilities.
  • Key participants include notifiers, waste producers, carriers, consignees, recovery or disposal facilities, and competent authorities.
  • Responsibilities differ depending on the type of shipment procedure and waste classification.
  • All actors must comply with the requirements of Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 on shipments of waste.

Overview​

EU waste shipment regulation assigns specific responsibilities to each participant in a transboundary waste shipment. The allocation of roles is set out in Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on shipments of waste, which establishes who must submit notifications or documentation, who issues consents or certificates, and who is accountable for the accuracy of information at each stage of the shipment lifecycle.

Regulatory compliance depends on proper coordination between these actors. Failures by one party—for example, incomplete documentation from the notifier or incorrect completion of movement documents by a carrier—can delay or invalidate the procedure and may result in enforcement action. This guide summarises the regulatory obligations and operational roles of each actor and explains how documentation and approvals move between them.

The roles and responsibilities described in this guide derive from Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 on shipments of waste (the Waste Shipment Regulation), which repeals and replaces Regulation (EC) 1013/2006 with effect from 21 May 2026. The Regulation defines the notifier, producer, consignee, facility, carrier, and competent authorities and assigns to each specific obligations in relation to the notification procedure, the Annex VII procedure, and the completion of movement documents and certificates. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1290 establishing technical and operational requirements for the Digital Waste Shipment System (DIWASS) adds obligations for electronic submission and exchange from 21 May 2026.

Parties Covered​

Notifier​

The notifier is the person or undertaking that submits the notification to the competent authority of destination in the case of waste requiring prior written notification and consent. The notifier is responsible for preparing the notification dossier, ensuring that the information is accurate and complete, responding to requests from competent authorities, and—once consent is granted—ensuring that movement documents, carrier transfer certificates, and reception certificates are completed in accordance with the consent. The notifier remains responsible for the shipment until the procedure is properly closed. Liability for incorrect or misleading information in the notification rests with the notifier.

Waste producer​

The waste producer is the undertaking whose activities produce the waste. The producer may act as the notifier or may provide information to the notifier for inclusion in the notification or Annex VII document. The producer’s identity, the origin of the waste, and (where required) a description of the waste and its classification must be accurately recorded. The producer does not submit the notification or Annex VII document unless it is also the notifier or arranger, but it has an interest in ensuring that the information concerning the waste is correct, as errors may affect the lawfulness of the shipment and the producer’s own compliance record.

Arranger of shipment (for green-listed waste)​

For shipments of green-listed waste accompanied by an Annex VII document, the arranger is the person or undertaking that arranges the shipment (e.g. the producer, a broker, or a dealer). The arranger is responsible for ensuring that the Annex VII document is completed and accompanies the shipment and that the information it contains is accurate. From 21 May 2026, the arranger must create and transmit the document electronically via DIWASS or an interconnected system. The arranger is the primary point of accountability for Annex VII shipments.

Carrier / transport operator​

Carriers are undertakings that physically transport the waste. They do not submit the notification or (typically) the Annex VII document, but they are responsible for ensuring that the waste is accompanied by the required documentation during transport, for completing movement documents and carrier transfer certificates when custody changes, and for complying with any conditions attached to the consent. Carriers must not commence or continue a shipment if the documentation is missing or does not match the consignment. From 21 May 2026, carrier-related documentation is completed via DIWASS or interconnected systems.

Consignee​

The consignee is the undertaking to which the waste is shipped for recovery or disposal. The consignee must be identified in the notification or Annex VII document and must operate (or be the operator of) a facility that is authorised to carry out the intended recovery or disposal operation. The consignee is responsible for issuing a reception certificate upon receipt of the waste and for ensuring that the facility subsequently issues facility reception and completion certificates. The consignee must not accept waste that does not conform to the consent or Annex VII document or that is not destined for an authorised operation.

Recovery or disposal facility​

The recovery or disposal facility is the installation where the waste is actually recovered or disposed of. The facility must hold the necessary permits or registrations under national and EU law and must be capable of performing the recovery or disposal operation (R or D code) stated in the notification or Annex VII document. The facility (or its operator) is responsible for confirming receipt of the waste and for issuing completion certificates once the recovery or disposal operation has been carried out. The facility must not accept waste for operations that are not permitted or that do not match the documentation.

Competent authorities​

Competent authorities are the bodies designated by each Member State to implement the Waste Shipment Regulation. They include the competent authority of export (the Member State from which the waste is dispatched), the competent authority of destination (the Member State to which the waste is destined), and the competent authorities of any transit countries. Their responsibilities include receiving and acknowledging notifications, coordinating with other authorities, issuing consent or objection decisions, verifying financial guarantees, supervising shipments, and enforcing the Regulation. They are also responsible for ensuring that operators can access DIWASS or interconnected systems and that sites are registered where required.

Interaction Between Parties​

During a notified waste shipment, documentation and approvals move in a defined sequence. The notifier prepares and submits the notification dossier to the competent authority of destination and sends copies to the competent authorities of export and transit. The authority of destination acknowledges receipt and coordinates the review. Once all concerned authorities have consented (or consented with conditions), the notifier may proceed, subject to any financial guarantee and other conditions. For each physical movement, the notifier (or the carrier, depending on national practice) completes a movement document; when custody changes, the carrier completes a carrier transfer certificate. Upon receipt, the consignee issues a reception certificate, and the facility issues facility reception and completion certificates. All of these steps are recorded and, from 21 May 2026, exchanged electronically via DIWASS.

For Annex VII shipments, the arranger creates and submits the Annex VII document before the shipment begins. The document accompanies the waste and is updated or supplemented by carrier transfer and reception information as the shipment progresses. The recovery facility confirms receipt and completion in the system. Coordination between the arranger, carriers, consignee, and facility is necessary so that each party provides the required information at the correct time and in the correct format.

Competent authorities do not participate in every transaction but oversee the procedure, verify documentation when carrying out controls, and may request additional information or take enforcement action where obligations are not met.

Compliance Considerations​

Documentation accuracy. Errors in the notification dossier, Annex VII document, or movement documents can lead to delays, objections, or enforcement. All parties that provide information (notifier, arranger, carrier, consignee, facility) should verify that the data they supply is accurate and consistent with the actual shipment. Internal checks and, where appropriate, contractual allocation of responsibility between commercial parties can reduce the risk of errors.

Coordination between operators and authorities. Notifiers and arrangers must respond promptly to competent authority requests and respect procedural time limits. Carriers and facilities must ensure that they complete their parts of the procedure within the required timeframes. Lack of coordination—for example, delayed submission of a completion certificate—can prevent the procedure from being closed and may affect future shipments or compliance records.

Responsibility for shipment information. Although the notifier or arranger is the primary party responsible for the content of the notification or Annex VII document, other actors (producer, consignee, facility) may be held accountable for the accuracy of the information they provide or for failing to fulfil their own obligations (e.g. issuing certificates). Operators should clarify internally who is responsible for each element of the documentation and ensure that the correct person or undertaking is identified in the system.

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 shipments

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 guide reflects the position as of March 2026. Operators should consult their national competent authority for jurisdiction-specific requirements.