Directive 2008/98/EC on waste (more commonly known as the Waste Framework Directive integrates the notion of End-of-Waste (EoW) by setting out conditions, which materials that fulfil the definition of waste can achieve a non-waste status, and thus fall outside the scope of the waste legislation. Waste shall cease to be waste when it has undergone a recovery operation. The following set of conditions, as laid down in regulation 6 of the Waste Regulations, are to be complied with in order for waste to reach end-of-waste status:

  • The substance or object is commonly used for specific purposes;
  • A market or demand exists for such a substance or object;
  • The substance or object fulfils the technical requirements for the specific purposes and meets the existing legislation and standards applicable to products;
  • The use of the substance or object will not lead to overall adverse environmental or human health impacts; and
  • The substance or object shall be accompanied by a declaration as set out in Schedule 10 of the said Regulations.

Flow chart on End of waste criteria

The European Commission has so far established EoW criteria for the following materials:

 

Further details on End-of-Waste criteria can be found on the European Commission’s website.