The European Commission announced on Monday, 24th February, 2025 that it has received formal applications from Nigeria and 23 other non-OECD nations requesting permission to import non-hazardous waste from the European Union.
Non-hazardous waste, which makes up 95.6% of the solid waste generated in Europe, includes everyday municipal waste such as plastic bottles, clothing, and packaging, as well as construction debris like bricks, concrete, and stones. These materials fall under the EU’s updated Waste Shipments Regulation, introduced as part of the Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan, which aims to enforce stricter controls over waste exports and imports.
Stricter Waste Export Rules Under EU’s New Regulation
A key aspect of the new regulation is the complete ban on plastic waste exports from the EU by November 2026. To be eligible for importing non-hazardous waste from the EU beyond May 2027, countries must prove their ability to handle these materials in an environmentally sound manner, ensuring their waste management standards match or exceed EU requirements.
The European Commission is currently assessing applications from 24 countries, including:
- Africa: Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Togo, Tunisia
- Asia: Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
- Europe: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Monaco, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine
- Latin America: El Salvador
Approval Process and Deadlines
The European Commission will evaluate the submitted applications and release the first list of approved countries by November 2026. Any country not included on this list will be barred from importing waste from the EU starting May 2027.
Nations that miss the February 2025 deadline can still apply, but their assessment may not be completed before the first official list is finalized. However, the list will be reviewed and updated every two years, allowing additional countries to gain eligibility over time.
“The first list of approved nations will be published by November 21, 2026. From May 21, 2027, waste exports to non-OECD countries not on the list will be prohibited. Countries that fail to apply by the February 2025 deadline can still submit requests, but there is no certainty that their review will be completed before the first list is finalized,” the European Commission stated.
This new regulatory framework underscores the EU’s commitment to sustainable waste management and responsible global trade, ensuring that exported waste is handled in compliance with high environmental standards.
