All applications:

  • A general description of the brokerage activity carried out
  • Details of person and/or company under which the application is being made
  • A true copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the company
  • Copy of Maltese ID card (if Maltese National)
  • Copy of Passport (if not a Maltese National)
  • Copy of Maltese working permit (if not an EU National)
  • No fees currently applicable.

Additional information required by brokers based in a foreign country:

  • A true copy of the waste broker permit issued by the national competent authority (in original Language) of the country
  • An English translation of the waste broker permit issued by the national competent authority
  • An English translation of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the company
  • In the case that a Maltese company is legally representing the broker company in Malta, a true copy of the Maltese company’s Memorandum and Articles of Association

 

Registration and Renewal Forms

Applications for brokerage activities may be submitted through the ERIS System which may be accessed from here.

Last updated 07/09/2020

For a full list of approved Waste Brokers, kindly see table below​.

EPYearCompanyPermit HolderExpiry
EP 0005326OpenSwm Ltd.Antonio Mangia5/31/202739 3296807933[email protected]
EP 0006126/Andre' Camilleri5/31/202779444215[email protected]
EP 0007126Think Green Ltd.Daniel Farrugia5/31/202777003018[email protected]
EP 0007426PT Matic Environmental ServicesOliver Fenech5/31/202799772070[email protected]
EP 0008026Aretrop LimitedSanto Portera5/31/202799214018[email protected]
EP 0008326WasteServ Malta Ltd.Richard Bilocca5/31/202723858000[email protected]
EP 0008826Kwinta Enterprises Ltd.Felix Falzon5/31/202779920718[email protected]
EP 0009026Zero Waste Recycling Malta Ltd.Mark Agius5/31/202779258111[email protected]
EP 0009126/Brian Cardona5/31/202799427217[email protected]
EP 0009326JAC TransAudrey Inger Baldacchino Demicoli5/31/202799585643[email protected]
EP 0009426U-Recycle Ltd.Joseph Sammut5/31/202779495575[email protected]
EP 0009526Green Ports (Malta) LimitedIoannis Agiostratitis5/31/202721235141[email protected]
EP 0010526/Jason Mangion5/31/202799499373[email protected]
EP 0010726Green Skip Services Ltd.Ms. Mary Gaerty5/31/202799422544[email protected]
EP 0010926Global Expert Solutions Ltd.Rudolph Gaerty5/31/202799473316[email protected]
EP 0011426Light Blue Corporation Ltd.Ciro Ascione5/31/202799344479[email protected]
EP 0011626/Disma Attard5/31/202799493592[email protected]
EP 0014526GreenPak Coop Society Ltd.Mario Schembri5/31/202799690017[email protected]
EP 0014626Electronic Products LimitedCharles Galea5/31/202799496645[email protected]
EP 0015826/Vincenzo Tagliaferri5/31/202799672929[email protected]
EP 0015926AM BrothersMohamed Moussa5/31/202799712223[email protected]
EP 0016126WEEE Malta Ltd.Dr. Jan Karl Farrugia5/31/202799854935[email protected]
EP 0016226Eurobridge Shipping Services Ltd.David Abela5/31/202779492715[email protected]
EP 0016626Inifinite Italia SRLSoham Khemka5/31/202744 7983 243926[email protected]
EP 0016726Waste Oils Company LtdDr. Cornelia Zammit German5/31/202722017120[email protected]
EP 0018426Kasco Recycling LimitedAlfio Schembri5/31/202799312034[email protected]
EP 0018826Multi Packaging Ltd.Brian Muscat5/31/202799453288[email protected]
EP 0018926Smart Recycling Ltd.Renald Farrugia5/31/202799452458[email protected]
EP 0019726M-Stream Ltd.Gilbert Bonnici5/31/202779849848[email protected]

For further information, the public is requested to contact  https://era.org.mt/contact/

Malta’s waters include inland fresh waters, transitional and coastal waters, as well as deep waters that extend above Malta’s continental shelf.

Inland surface waters

Wied il-Luq watercourse

Malta’s inland fresh surface waters are very small streams, water courses or standing waters. The water courses are parts of larger valley systems, or ‘widien’, and the level of water and flow within these water courses varies seasonally. Some water courses are linked to springs that outflow from perched aquifers that form above blue clay outcrops, and these streams tend to be present throughout the year.  Given Malta’s Mediterranean climate and geology, these waters are important because they support habitats and freshwater aquatic species that are found in few places within the Maltese islands. These include protected riparian habitats such as galleries of white willow (Salix alba) – Żafżafa kbira – and white poplar (Populus alba) -‘siġra tal-luq’, and protected endemic species such as the painted frog (Discoglossus pictus pictus) – ‘iż-żrinġ’ – and the Maltese freshwater carb (Potamon fluviatile lanfrancoi) – ‘il-qabru’.

Malta has delineated five inland surface waters as water bodies under the Water Framework Directive: three streams – Wied tal-Baħrija and Wied il-Luq in Malta and Wied tal-Lunzjata in Gozo – and two pools – Il-Qattara and L-Għadira ta’ Sarraflu, both in Gozo. The water bodies are all found within areas that are protected under national and/or international legislation in view of their ecological importance.

Il-Qattara pool

Transitional waters

Il-Ballut Ta’ Marsaxlokk

Transitional waters are brackish waters that are found at the mouths of valley catchments and in close proximity to the sea. They are typically wetlands or marshlands that support particular habitats and species, including the only truly brackish water fish occurring in Malta – the Mediterranean killifish (Aphanius fasciatus) – ‘il-bużaqq’, and are important areas for migrating birds.

Malta has delineated five transitional waters under the Water Framework Directive: is-Simar, l-Għadira, is- Salini, Il-Ballut ta’ Marsaxlokk, and il-Magħluq ta’ Marsascala. These water bodies are all found within areas that are protected under international legislation in view of their ecological importance: they are all protected areas in the Natura 2000 network, and two are also designated as Ramsar sites.

L-Għadira

Marine waters

St. Paul’s Bay

Malta’s marine waters extend from the shallow waters breaking onto the rocky shore and beaches to offshore deep waters that are over one kilometer deep. These waters host habitats and species of international and national importance that merit protection, while marine ecosystems support a range of commercial and recreational activities that are key to our economy and well-being.

There are various marine designations and boundaries that are used for managing activities and monitoring their impacts, in line with Malta’s jurisdictional rights and key water-related legislation.

The different boundaries include the 1 nautical mile boundary of Malta’s River Basin District – which is subdivided into 9 WFD coastal water bodies, the 12 nautical mile boundary of Malta’s Territorial Waters, and the 25 nautical mile boundary of Malta’s Fisheries Management Zone. Malta has designated a number of marine protected areas within these areas for the protection of key habitats and species. In addition, Malta’s Area for Hydrocarbon Exploration and Exploitation extends along Malta’s continental shelf. These boundaries can be viewed on the ERA geoportal .

Grand Harbour

ERA carried out an update to Malta’s Initial Assessment under the MSFD in 2019. The update was carried out on the basis of the data collected through the implementation of the MSFD monitoring programme (as part of EMFF 8.3.1) and other related data collection processes.

Malta’s final report, related annexes and supporting datasets were subsequently submitted the EU Commission in 2020. The report, which was subject to public and stakeholders’ consultation, indicates:

  1. ​the initial assessment and the determination of good environmental status, as provided for in Articles 8(1) and 9(1) respectively, and;
  2. the environmental targets established pursuant to Article 10(1).​

 

Documents

Final Report and Annexes 

Supporting Datasets

Intent and Objectives – Consultation Brief – Updated Assessment of Status, Good Environmental Status and Environmental Targets for Malta’s marine waters pursuant to the Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC (MSFD)

First Draft – Consultation Brief

Public Consultation Submissions & Responses

Initial Assessment, Good Environmental Status and Environmental Targets for Malta

Malta carried out its Initial Assessment under Articles 8, 9 and 10 of the MSFD in 2013. The assessment reports by theme, as well as the GES and environmental targets that were defined for the different themes, can be accessed from the below links.

 

CharacteristicsInitial Assessment ReportAnnex to Initial Assessment ReportGood Environment Status (GES) & Targets
Physical features

MSFD-InitialAssessment-PhysicalFeatures--
Marine acidification

MSFD-InitialAssessment-MarineAcidification--
Benthic habitats

MSFD-InitialAssessment-BenthicHabitats-GES&Targets-Descriptors1&4&6
Water column habitats

MSFD-InitialAssessment-WaterColumnHabitats-GES&Targets-Descriptors1&4&6
FishMSFD-InitialAssessment-FishMSFD-InitialAssessment-Fish-AnnexGES&Targets-Descriptors1&4&6
Marine mammals

MSFD-InitialAssessment-MarineMammals-GES&Targets-Descriptors1&4&6
Marine reptiles

MSFD-InitialAssessment-MarineTurtles-GES&Targets-Descriptors1&4&6
SeabirdsMSFD-InitialAssessment-Seabirds-GES&Targets-Descriptors1&4&6
Non-indigenous species

MSFD-InitialAssessment-NonIndigenousSpecies-GES&Targets-Descriptor2
Physical loss & damage

MSFD-InitialAssessment-PhysicalLossDamage--
Underwater noise

MSFD-InitialAssessment-UnderwaterNoise-GES&Targets-Descriptor11
Marine litter

MSFD-InitialAssessment-MarineLitter-GES&Targets-Descriptor10
Interference with hydrological processes

MSFD-InitialAssessment-Inteference-GES&Targets-Descriptor7
Contamination by hazardous substances

MSFD-InitialAssessment-Contamination-GES&Targets-Descriptors8&9
Significant pollution events

MSFD-InitialAssessment-SignificantPollution-GES&Targets-Descriptors8&9
Nutrient enrichment

MSFD-InitialAssessment-NutrientEnrichment-GES&Targets-Descriptor5
Pathogens

MSFD-InitialAssessment-MicrobialPathogensMSFD-MicrobialPathogens-Annex-
Extraction of species

MSFD-InitialAssessment-FisheriesMSFD-InitialAssessment-Fisheries-AnnexGES&Targets-Descriptor3

Other reports
Social & Economic AnalysisMSFD-Economic&SocialAnalysis
Economic SectorsMSFD-InitialAssessment-EconomicSectorsReport

Subsidiary Legislation 549.43 – the Waste Management (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations as published by Legal Notice 277 of 2006 [Download] implements the PRP for packaging waste, bringing into effect the provisions of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (94/62/EC, as amended by Directive 2004/12/EC and by Directive 2005/20/EC) [Download]. The Waste Management (Packaging & Packaging Waste) Regulations provide additional measures, procedures and guidance to those in the Waste Regulations, 2011 which seek to address the environmental impact of packaging disposal, aiming as a first priority, at preventing the production of packaging waste and as additional fundamental principles, at reusing packaging, at recycling and other forms of recovering waste and, hence, at reducing the final disposal of such waste.
General Information

​National Register of Producers of Packaging or Packaging Material

Quick guide for producers of Packaging or Packaging Material​​

Procedure for the implementation of Registrations and Renewals

Registration & Renewal Form
Form G – Registration Form as a Producer of Packaging or Packaging Material Electronic Form  

 

Form H – Renewal Form as a Producer of Packaging or Packaging Material

Reporting Template for Recycling Content in Bottles

Electronic Form

Form

 

 

 

​Form I – Deregistration Form as a Producer of Packaging or Packaging Material

Written Mandate declaration for an Authorised Representative

Form

Form

​Application to operate a Packaging PRO Form
Declaration form for a Producer of Packaging or Packaging Material placing on the market less than 100kgs Form
Further guidelines for self-compliant producers & authorised PRO(s)

Terms of Reference for compliance audits by a Self-Compliant Producer of Packaging or Packaging Material

Terms of Reference for audits relating to the Single-Use Plastic Beverage Bottles and their recycled content​​​

Terms of Reference for Work Plan by a Self-Compliant Producer of Packaging or Packaging Material

Manual for producers on how to report reused packaging

The above guidelines may be amended from time to time as deemed necessary, and would be applicable with immediate effect. ​​​

N.B: ​The Competent Authority exempts a self-compliant producer from assigning an independent auditor to certify all the information reported to the Authority, provided that the self-compliant producer provides evidence of participating in a certified environmental management system(s), namely EN ISO 14001 or/and the Eco-Management & Audit Scheme (EMAS) and further provided that the environmental audits conducted in relation to ISO 14001 or/and EMAS standards accomplish all the requirements set by the Authority in the “Terms of Reference for Audits by a Self-Compliant Producer of Packaging or Packaging Material”.

Registration as eligible auditors to conduct audits under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations and the Single-Use Plastic Frameworks Regulations:

Registered producers of packaging or packaging material, electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), and batteries and accumulators as well as PROs are obliged under the relevant national legislations to use the services of an Auditor, approved by ERA, to certify all of the information reported. Interested parties who fulfil the requirements set by ERA are to submit their interest accompanied by the requested documentation. An audit is also required for single plastic beverage bottles placed on the market and their recycled content . Only those parties listed hereunder shall be considered to be suitable Auditors, approved by ERA, to conduct audits as per the EPR Regulations and the SUPF Regulations.

Eligibility Requirements to conduct audits under the EPR Regulations and the SUPF Regulations

Application form to express interest to conduct audits under the EPR Regulations and SUPF Regulations

List of eligible Auditors to conduct audits under the EPR Regulations​​​ and the SUPF Regulations

The eligibility requirements may be amended from time to time as deemed necessary, and would be applicable with immediate effect

Authorised Packaging Waste Recovery Organisation(s)

Name of PRO

PRO’s Permit Number

Status

Should you require further assistance please contact us on: Phone: 2292 3500. Email: [email protected]

These guidelines can be used to determine whether any waste shipment controls apply for the transport (i.e. road, rail, sea and/or air) of objects, materials or substances from a country to another. Waste shipment controls only apply if the object, material or substance intended for transport is waste.

Is the object or substance waste?

 

Anyone planning to transport an object or substance to, from or through Malta must confirm if the shipment is classified as waste. Since various countries apply different criteria it is important to check the relevant classification of each country involved. In case of disagreement between the competent authorities of dispatch and destination whether the subject shall be classified as waste or non-waste, this must be considered as waste for the purpose of the shipment. Please refer to the Waste Framework Directive and the Commission Notice on technical guidance on the classification of waste for further information. For information about objects or substances exempted from waste shipment controls, please refer to Article 2(2) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on shipments of waste, amending Regulations (EU) No 1257/2013 and (EU) 2020/1056 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 (WSR).

Types of waste shipment controls

 

When an object, material or substance is confirmed as waste, its route and treatment operation(s) have to be confirmed as legal. All shipments to, from or through Malta must comply with the WSR. This Regulation, implements at Union level the Basel Convention of 22nd March 1989 on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal (the Basel Convention) and the OECD Decision of the Council on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Wastes Destined for Recovery Operations (the OECD Decision).

If a shipment of waste is not prohibited, there are two different type of controls which can apply for a transboundary movements of waste:

  1. the prior informed consent procedure [Article 4(2) and Article 5 of WSR] whereby competent authorities have to give prior consent before an intended shipment can take place; OR
  2. the general information procedure [Article 4(4) and Article 18 of WSR] whereby the transport has to be accompanied by certain information, but where no prior consent is required.

A legal duty of care is placed upon original waste producers and other waste holders to ensure that the waste is handled and managed safely by all undertakings involved. This includes the correct waste classification, shipment through the appropriate controls and the environmentally sound management of the said waste.

Please follow the links below to access the lists of:

​​​EU Member States Click Here
​OECD Member States Click Here
​EU Member States competent authorities ​Click Here
​OECD Member States competent authorities Click Here
​Competent authorities of Parties to the Basel Convention ​Click Here​

Selecting the applicable waste shipment control procedure

The following is required to determine which waste shipment control applies:

  1. Type of waste

Waste must be classified as hazardous or non-hazardous and depending on its origin and other properties it is assigned a six digit European Waste Catalogue code (Commission Decision 2000/532/EC). If the waste is classified as an absolute hazardous entry, no further assessment is needed to determine whether the waste is hazardous or not. Similarly, no further assessment is needed to verify whether the waste can be classified as non-hazardous if the waste is classified as an absolute non-hazardous entry. If there is an option to classify a waste using mirror entries (two or more related entries where one is hazardous and the other is not) further investigations are needed to determine which entry is applicable. These investigations will aim to determine whether the waste displays one or more of the hazardous properties listed in Schedule 3 of the Waste Regulations (S.L.549.63). For this purpose, Safety Data Sheets (only in cases where the waste retains its original properties) or HP criteria assessments (following sampling, analysis and identification of worst case substances) can be used to complete this assessment. All shipments of hazardous waste, are subject to the prior informed consent procedure. For further information it is recommended to refer to the Commission Notice on technical guidance on the classification of waste and ERA’s Terms of Reference – Determining the nature of waste & Classification of waste.

In the Annexes of the WSR there are three (3) different types of classification codes, each emanating from a specific legal instrument. For the purpose of determining which waste shipments control procedures apply for the waste, the classification regimes established in the Basel Convention and the OECD Decision have to be used. Basel Codes start with a single letter (i.e. A4010 or B4010) while OECD Codes start with two letters (i.e. AA010 or GB040). Transboundary movements of the following wastes are subject to the prior informed consent procedure:

  1. Wastes listed in Annex IV of WSR; OR
  2. Wastes not classified under one single entry in either Annex III, Annex IIIB or Annex IV of WSR; OR
  • Mixtures of wastes, unless listed in Annex IIIA of WSR; OR
  1. Waste listed in Annex III or Annex IIIB and mixtures of wastes listed in Annex IIIA of WSR contaminated by other materials to an extent which:

 

  • increases the risks associated with the wastes sufficiently to render them appropriate for submission to the prior informed consent procedure, when taking into account the of list of waste referred to in Article 7 of Directive 2008/98/EC as well as the hazardous properties listed in Annex III to that Directive; OR
  • prevents the recovery of the wastes in an environmentally sound manner; OR
  • wastes or mixtures of wastes containing or contaminated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs) within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 in quantities meeting or exceeding a concentration limit indicated in Annex IV to that Regulation, which are not to be classified as hazardous wastes; OR

 

2. Mixed municipal waste collected from private households, from other waste producers or from both, as well as to mixed municipal waste which has been subject to a waste treatment operation that has not substantially altered its properties, including refuse-derived fuels processed from mixed municipal waste, where such waste is destined for recovery operations.

If a waste cannot be classified using the classification regimes established in the Basel Convention and the OECD Decision, the waste is deemed as ‘unlisted’ and the prior informed consent procedure applies irrespective of the properties of the waste.

There is also a prohibition for shipments of mixed municipal waste collected from private households, from other waste producers or from both, as well as to mixed municipal waste which has been subject to a waste treatment operation that has not substantially altered its properties, including refuse-derived fuels processed from mixed municipal waste, where such waste is destined for disposal.

If the competent authorities of dispatch and of destination cannot agree on the classification of a waste destined for recovery as being listed in Annex III, Annex IIIA, Annex IIIB or Annex IV, or not listed in any of those Annexes of WSR, the shipment of that waste will be subject to the prior informed consent procedure.

2. Type of treatment

Shipments of waste may be destined for either recovery or disposal operations as listed in the Waste Framework Directive. Shipments of wastes destined for disposal are prohibited, except if a consent is given in accordance with Article 11 of WSR. This exception is only valid for shipments within the Union, exports from the Union to EFTA countries which are Parties to the Basel Convention, transit through the Union from and to third countries and imports into the Union from:

  1. countries which are Parties to the Basel Convention; OR
  2. other countries with which the Union, or the Union and its Member States, have concluded bilateral or multilateral agreements or arrangements compatible with Union legislation and in accordance with Article 11 of the Basel Convention; OR
  • other countries with which individual Member States have concluded bilateral agreements or arrangements in accordance with paragraph 2; OR
  1. other areas in cases where, on exceptional grounds during situations of crisis, peace-making, peacekeeping or war, no bilateral agreements or arrangements pursuant to points (ii) or (iii) can be concluded or where a competent authority in the country of dispatch has either not been designated or is unable to act.

Where the conditions in Article 11 of WSR are fulfilled, all shipments of waste for disposal are subject to the prior informed consent procedure.

Shipments of waste for recovery are allowed in most countries subject to different waste shipment controls depending on the type of waste and the country of import. However, in the cases described below, the applicable waste controls may also depend on the specific recovery operation intended for the waste:

  1. In the case of exports to countries to which the OECD Decision applies, mixtures of wastes listed in Annex IIIA of WSR destined for an interim operation are subject to the prior informed consent procedure if any subsequent interim or non-interim recovery operation or disposal operation is to take place in a country to which the OECD Decision does not apply.
  2. In the case of exports of non-hazardous waste to countries to which the OECD Decision does not apply, the waste can only be be destined for interim operations, if all subsequent non-interim or interim recovery operations take place in the same country of destination or in other countries for which the related waste is included in the list referred to in Article 41 of WSR.
  • In the case of intra-EU shipments of plastic waste classified as EU3011, the waste must be destined for a recycling operation only, otherwise the prior informed consent procedure applies.

If the competent authorities of dispatch and of destination cannot agree on the classification of a waste treatment operation as being recovery or disposal, the provisions regarding disposal apply. Similarly, if the competent authorities of dispatch and destination cannot agree on the classification of the waste treatment operation as interim operation or non-interim operation, the provisions on interim operations apply.

3. Routing and destination

Malta has a ban for the importation of waste for disposal. Imports of waste into the Union destined for recovery are prohibited except for imports coming from:

i) countries to which the OECD Decision applies; OR

ii) other countries which are Parties to the Basel Convention; OR

iii) other countries with which the Union, or the Union and its Member States, have concluded bilateral or multilateral agreements or arrangements compatible with Union legislation and in accordance with Article 11 of the Basel Convention; OR

iv) other countries with which individual Member States have concluded bilateral agreements or arrangements in accordance with paragraph 2; OR

v) other areas in cases where, on exceptional grounds during situations of crisis, peace-making, peacekeeping or war, no bilateral agreements or arrangements pursuant to points (iii) or (iv) can be concluded or where a competent authority in the country of dispatch has either not been designated or is unable to act.

Pursuant to Article 46 of the WSR, any exports of waste from the Union shall only take place to facilities which have been subject to an audit carried out by a competent third party auditor. This audit must determine whether the treatment facility in a third country of destination complies with the criteria set out in the WSR, especially Article 59 concerning environmentally sound management of waste.

Exports of waste for disposal are only allowed within the Union and from the Union to EFTA countries which are also Parties to the Basel Convention, if the conditions in Article 11 of WSR are fulfilled, subject to the prior informed consent procedure.

Exports of waste from the Union for recovery to countries to which the OECD Decision applies are allowed with the exception of shipments of mixed municipal waste collected from private households, from other waste producers or from both, as well as to mixed municipal waste which has been subject to a waste treatment operation that has not substantially altered its properties, including refuse-derived fuels processed from mixed municipal waste. It is important to note that the Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 80 of WSR by prohibiting the export of a particular waste stream to such countries as described in Article 45 of WSR.

Exports of waste from the Union of the following wastes for recovery in countries to which the OECD Decision does not apply are prohibited, unless the waste is destined for recovery to a country included in the list of countries established in accordance with Article 41 of WSR for the non-hazardous wastes and mixtures of non-hazardous wastes specified in that list, which can include any of the following wastes:

  • i) non-hazardous wastes listed in Annex III or Annex IIIB and mixtures of non-hazardous wastes listed in Annex IIIA;
  • ii) non-hazardous wastes and mixtures of non-hazardous wastes included in the list of waste referred to in Article 7 of Directive 2008/98/EC, when not already listed in Annex III, Annex IIIA or Annex IIIB;
  • iii) non-hazardous wastes and mixtures of non-hazardous wastes not classified under one single entry in Annex III, Annex IIIA or Annex IIIB or in the list of waste referred to in Article 7 of Directive 2008/98/EC;i
  • v) non-hazardous waste classified under AB130, AC250, AC260 and AC270.

The countries featuring in this list must specify the applicable waste controls for each waste.

Transit of waste through the Union from and to third countries destined for both disposal and recovery are possible.

Shipments subject to the general information procedure

Shipments of the following wastes for recovery exceeding 20 kg are typically subject to the general information procedure laid down in Article 18 of WSR:

​​Shipment of waste within the Union or from the Union to countries to which the OECD Decision applies Waste listed in Annex III or Annex IIIB or mixtures of waste provided that the composition of those mixtures does not impair their environmentally sound recovery and provided that such mixtures are listed in Annex IIIA. Trends for export of waste from the Union to such countries will be monitored by the Commission.
​Shipment of waste from the Union to countries to which the OECD Decision does not apply ​Pursuant to Article 40 of WSR an export prohibition applies for certain types of waste. This prohibition does not apply to exports of wastes or mixtures of waste destined for recovery to a country included in the list of countries established in accordance with Article 41 of WSR, for the non-hazardous wastes and mixtures of non-hazardous wastes specified in that list, where such exports are subject to the general information procedure laid down in Article 18 of WSR.  If a country is not mentioned in the list, all shipments of waste destined to that country are prohibited. Non-OECD countries can only be included in this list if they notify the Commission of their intention to receive such waste from the Union and provided that they are able to prove that they manage such wastes in an environmentally sound manner.
​Shipments of waste explicitly destined for laboratory analysis or experimental treatment trials to assess either its physical or chemical characteristics or to determine its suitability for recovery or disposal operations ​Article 18 applies for such shipments of waste where all of the following conditions are fulfilled:

(i)               the amount of waste does not exceed the quantity reasonably needed to perform the analysis or trial in each particular case, but not more than 250 kg or any higher amount agreed on a case-by-case basis by the competent authorities of dispatch and destination and the person who arranges the shipment;

(ii)             in case an amount higher than 250 kg is requested by a person who arranges the shipment, the person who arranges the shipment shall provide the information contained in Annex VII to the competent authorities of dispatch and destination together with a motivated explanation that such a higher amount is needed to perform the analysis or trial.

In the case of export of waste to countries to which the OECD Decision applies, import of waste from a country to which the OECD Decision applies or from other areas during situations of crisis or war and transit of waste through the Union of waste destined for recovery, such shipments shall be subject to the procedure informed consent, unless the amount of such determined by the minimum quantity reasonably needed to adequately perform the analysis in each particular case does not exceed 25 kg.

Important Notes

 

  • From 1st January 2021, new EU rules for transboundary movements of plastic waste apply. For further information you may visit the following link.
  • From 1st January 2025, new EU rules for transboundary movements of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) apply. For further information you may visit the following link.
  • From 21st November 2026, export of plastic waste from the Union to non-OECD countries will be prohibited.

For the latest information and news about waste shipment rules it is highly recommended to visit the website of the European Commission.

The above guidelines can assist prospective notifiers to decide whether a waste shipment is prohibited, or if the prior informed consent procedure (Article 4 controls) or general information procedure (Article 18 controls) applies. Anyone interested in shipping waste must be fully aware of the obligations and procedures which are relevant to the waste intended for transport. For further assistance, kindly contact the TFS Environmental Permitting team on [email protected].

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) reserves the right to determine the applicable waste shipment controls (if any) in case of disagreements as per WSR.

Established criteria define the overall degree of environmental risk posed by shipments of waste, which are used to determine applicable waste shipment controls. Shipments of waste which have a low environmental risk are subject to the general information procedure (Article 18). On the other hand, the more stringent prior informed consent procedure (Article 5) applies to shipments of waste having a higher environmental risk. In terms of Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 April 2024 on shipments of waste, amending Regulations (EU) No 1257/2013 and (EU) 2020/1056 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 known as the Waste Shipment Regulations (WSR) and the Waste Management (Shipment of Waste) Regulation (S.L.549.65), the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) is the competent authority in Malta responsible for Transfrontier Shipment (TFS) of waste.

Shipments of waste subject to the prior informed consent procedure under Maltese jurisdiction can only take place once ERA issues its consent in writing. The notification must cover a shipment of waste from its first place of loading until its interim and non-interim recovery or disposal is completed.

The prior informed consent procedure commences following submission of a notification to the competent authorities concerned by the notifier. If the notification is considered properly carried out by the competent authority of dispatch, the competent authorities of destination and transit can initiate their assessment. However, if the notification is not properly carried out, the competent authority of dispatch can request additional information. Once the competent authorities of destination and transit (if any) are satisfied that the notification is properly completed, following assessment and any requests for additional information and documentation, the competent authorities concerned will proceed with the determination of the notification.

Section A: Administrative Fees
Payment requirements

ERA requires that payment of administrative fees is carried out immediately following submission of a notification within 5 working days. Before proceeding with payment, an invoice will be provided by ERA. Timeframes for processing of a notification by ERA, only apply after processing of payment is completed. Delays in the completion of payment by the notifier will inevitably delay processing of a notification. Payment must be carried out through ERA’s online payment gateway.

Kindly refer to the table below to view the administrative fees charged by ERA:

Fee structure

The following administrative fees apply:

Application Type Fee
Application fee for Transit of waste subject to the prior informed consent procedure €250
Application fee for Export of waste subject to the prior informed consent procedure €350
Application fee for Import of waste subject to the prior informed consent procedure €500
Processing of movement Form (per shipment) €35
Change after Consent (Article 17 of WSR) €100

Where a notification for transit of waste through Malta is submitted, initially only payment of the application fee must be completed. Payment of processing fees for movement forms must only be carried out following receipt of confirmation by ERA that the notification is properly completed or after transmission of the acknowledgement (as applicable).

 

Section B: General Requirements
1. Electronic System (DIWASS)
  • The new WSR aims to simplify the exchange of information for shipments of waste between the relevant competent authorities and operators. To ensure more efficient processing of notifications, it is obligatory that such submission and exchange of information and data relating to shipments of waste within the Union is made via electronic means. As laid down in Article 27 of WSR, the Commission must operate a central system which is also interoperable with the local systems operated by some competent authorities in the Member States and software provided by commercial operators. Pursuant to Article 27(5) of WSR the Commission was given a mandate to adopt Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1290 of 2 July 2025. Further information about the registration of operators or natural persons other than operators who engage in shipments of waste including any associated sites is available in the ‘Additional Information’ page of our website.
  • The electronic system allows operators to prepare a draft notification prior to its submission. When a draft notification is created, a unique notification number will be assigned by the system which is necessary to complete various submission requirements as part of the notification.
  • The following file formats are accepted on the electronic system: ‘.pdf’ and ‘.jpeg’. Each file shall not exceed 32MB. Attachments must be uploaded separately and the type of file being uploaded on the electronic system for each attachment must be specified by selecting an appropriate label.
  • In the electronic system ‘working days’ are defined as any day between Monday and Friday with the expectation of except 1st January, 15th August, 1st November, 25th December and 26th Nonetheless, national and/or public holidays as well as any shut down period of the respective Member States must also be considered. For further information about ERA’s inactive periods you may refer to Part VI of the Environmental Permitting (Procedure for Applications and their Determination) Regulations, 2024.
  • Article 14 of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1290 of 2 July 2025 outlines the provisions related to authentication of documents submitted on the electronic system. This is necessary to ensure a correct implementation of the procedural requirements of WSR. All users must authenticate any information submitted on the electronic system. Similarly, competent authorities also need to authenticate any information provided. Authentication includes the date and time of such authentication (accurate to seconds, including time zone code), the name and surname of the user performing the authentication, and the function of the user performing the authentication of documents. A log of all actions taking place on the electronic system, including authentication, will be recorded and stored on the electronic system. In cases where a notification is submitted by a broker or dealer, waste producers are required to authenticate a notification as soon as this is created by the notifier. The waste producer can also view the draft of the notification and information/documents after submission.
  • All data submitted and processed in the electronic system will be handled in line with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) and Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC. Data will be stored in the system for a maximum period of 5 years apart from exceptional circumstances which may necessitate the keeping of data for a longer period.
  • The Commission is also obliged to publish data on shipments of waste in line with Article 21 of WSR in the format established in Annex XII of the same Regulation. By default, the name of the facility will be made publicly available unless an explicit request is received from the notifier detailing why such information is confidential and/or secret in line with European and national law.
  • Instructions manual for the registration of operator and for the creation of the notification and video demonstrations are available through the links provided. Further information is also available in the ‘Additional Information’ page of our website.

 

2. Role of Notifier

In the case of a notified shipment originating from a Member State, the notifier must be one of the following:

  1. the original waste producer; OR
  2. the new waste producer who carries out operations prior to shipment resulting in a change in the nature or composition of the waste; OR
  3. a collector who, from various small quantities of the same type of waste collected from a variety of sources, has assembled the shipment which is to start from a single notified location; OR
  4. a dealer or a broker acting on behalf of any of the categories specified in points (i), (ii) or (iii); OR
  5. where all of the persons specified above, are unknown or insolvent, the waste holder.

A notifier referred to in (2), (3) and (4) may only submit a notification when they have obtained a permit or are registered in accordance with Chapter IV of Directive 2008/98/EC. This requirement is not applicable to original waste producers opting to export their waste directly from site of generation without using the services of third parties.

In the case of exports from the Union, a notifier must be under the jurisdiction of the Member State of dispatch.

In the case of import into, or transit through, the Union of waste that does not originate in a Member State, the notifier must be one of the following:

  • the person designated by the law of the country of dispatch; OR
  • in the absence of a person designated by the law of the country of dispatch, the waste holder at the time the export takes place.

 

3. Signatories

Notifiers must ensure that only authorised legal representatives of the company are listed as a contact person in Block 1 of the notification and movement form and any other relevant documentation including but not limited to contracts. Only authorised legal representatives can sign the notification form in Block 17 and movement form in Block 15 as well as any other official documentation as part of the notification including but not limited to the contracts, documentation associated with financial guarantees, declarations, etc. In cases where a notifer is acting as a dealer or broker pursuant to Article 2 (6)(a)(iv) of WSR, the notifier is also required to ensure that any contact person or signatory on behalf of the original waste producer(s) is an authorised legal representative of the said company.

Where a company wishes to delegate/appoint an employee who is not listed as an authorised legal representative of that company in the Memorandum and Articles of Association as a contact person and/or signatory for the purpose of documentation related to transboundary movements of waste, a Board Resolution signed by all company’s directors, to this effect may be prepared and submitted accordingly as part of the notification. Alternatively, a letter confirming the existence of such Board Resolution, signed and dated by the Company’s Secretary (including ID Card Number) may also be accepted. In cases where the above requirements are not fulfilled, the notifier may either be requested to update the relevant documentation as necessary or to supply additional documentation/information with the possibility that the notification may no longer be deemed as valid.

In the electronic system, the authentication process described above is the equivalent of signing the documents. Therefore, authentication actions must be carried out by authorised legal representative/s of the company.

N.B. The above is not applicable in cases where the notifer or waste producer is a private person, Government Ministry or Entity.

 

4. Certification of notifier, consignee and facility

A notification for disposal or recovery can only be consented if the following conditions are fulfilled:

  • the notifier or the consignee have not been convicted of illegal shipment or any other illegal act in relation to environmental or human health protection in a period of five (5) years prior to the notification request; AND
  • the notifier or the facility have not, in a period of five (5) years prior to the notification request, repeatedly failed to comply with Articles 15 and 16 of WSR in connection with past shipments.

Certification by the notifier, consignee and facility or informal verification in relation to the above conditions is required and must be submitted as part of the . In order to facilitate fulfilment of this requirement, ERA has integrated this certification with the statutory contract between the notifier, consignee and facility.

 

5. Pre-consented Facilities

Competent authorities may issue a pre-consent to certain recovery facilities under their jurisdiction, which may be valid for a period of ten (10) years. In case of a general notification submitted in accordance with Article 13 of WSR, relating to shipments destined to a pre-consented facility, the period of validity of the consent for a notification may be extended to three (3) years.  Hence, notifiers are recommended to verify whether the facility is pre-consented and if such confirmation is received, a copy of the said pre-consent must be submitted as part of the notification. Processing of notifications for shipments of waste destined to pre-consented facilities are also shorter. This is only applicable to facilities carrying out recovery operations and excluding operation R13.

When applying through the electronic system, a notifier will be asked to indicate whether the facility is pre-consented or not for the proposed recovery operation and waste stream. It is important to always refer to the pre-consent and conditions therein before selecting this option since the electronic system should not actually be used to confirm whether a facility is actually pre-consented or not despite a register of pre-consented facilities is available on the system.

 

6. Multiple shipments under a single notification (i.e. general notification)

A notifier may submit a notification covering multiple shipments of waste under the same notification where the following criteria is met:

  • the waste in the different shipments has essentially similar physical and chemical characteristics; AND
  • the waste in the different shipments is shipped to the same consignee and the same facility; AND
  • the countries of transit, if any, are the same, and the routing of the different shipments, is indicated in or annexed to the notification form and the location from which the shipment starts is the same.

A collector, broker or dealer can export waste originating from multiple waste producers as long as the starting location for each shipment is the same. For further information, it is recommended to refer to Article 13 of WSR.

 

7. Interim Operations

Shipments of waste may undergo interim operation(s) at an interim facility before transport to a non-interim facility for final treatment. Most often, interim operations consist of pre-processing or temporary storage of waste. For shipments of waste destined for an interim operation(s), the notifier has to provide details for both interim and non-interim facilities. There are also additional requirements which apply including additional obligations in the contract. Interim operations are the following:

  • R12: Exchange of wastes for submission to any of the operations numbered R1-R11.
  • R13: Accumulation of material intended for any operations in this list.
  • D8: Biological treatment not specified elsewhere in this list which results in final compounds or mixtures which are discarded by means of any of the operations in this list.
  • D9: Physico-chemical treatment not specified elsewhere in this list which results in final compounds or mixtures which are discarded by means of any of the operations in this list.
  • D13: Blending or mixing prior to submission to any of the operations in this list.
  • D14: Repackaging prior to submission to any of the operations in this list.
  • D15: Storage pending any of the operations in this list.

 

8. Language 

The official languages of the Authority are Maltese and English. A certified translation carried out by an independent warranted/qualified translator in the accepted languages is necessary for documents or communications published in any other language at expense of the notifier.

 

9. Other Requirements

Apart from completing and submitting the notification, notifiers must also make sure that:

  • they have an insurance policy for cover against liability for damage to third parties (further information is also available in the ‘Additional Information’ page of our website.); AND
  • they comply with any other relevant legislations, regulations or authorisations required from any other competent authorities concerned or site owners; AND
  • the waste is dealt with in an environmentally sound manner as referred to in Article 59 of WSR at all times, including when it is being recovered or disposed of in the country of import; AND
  • they obtain consents (including tacit where applicable) from the competent authorities concerned in all countries involved before moving the waste.

N.B. Any requirements making reference to insurance policies against liability for damage to third parties shall stipulate that these include cover for material and immaterial damages including cases of bodily injuries and death.

 

Section C: The notification

The notification form (Annex IA) and movement form (Annex IB) are the two main documents which need to be completed to apply for a notification for shipments of waste subject to the prior informed consent procedure. A notification must be completed and submitted using the electronic system (DIWASS). When applying for a notification, a notifier is also allowed to indicate if there is a link to a previously consented notification if all details i.e. (source, type and composition of waste, consignee, facility and route) are the same.

ERA recommends that a format of annexes is utilised to supplement the information provided in the said forms. Checklists of the standard information/documentation required by ERA for import, export and transit notifications, in accordance with Annex II of WSR, can be downloaded from this links provided. It is important that all annexes are labelled appropriately.

Kindly refer to the instructions in the following subsections for further information about the main requirements of the notification. If a notification does not include the required information and documentation, there will be delays in the assessment of the notification with the possibility of subsequent dismissal. Templates made available by ERA, to assist in the compilation of a notification for exports of waste from Malta, are also available for download. No changes to these templates are allowed.

1) Submission of chemical analysis and/or HP criteria assessment

A chemical analysis and/or a desk-based HP criteria assessment, in accordance with Annex 3 of Directive 2008/98/EC, may be requested on a case-by-case basis to assist in the assessment of the composition and hazardous properties of the waste. Any analysis and/or assessment intended for waste classification should be carried out not more than one calendar year before submission of a notification for the export of the said waste. These documents may be requested in case of shipments involving any of the following wastes:

  • Dredging waste
  • Wastes consisting of mixture whose composition is unknown or not clear.
  • Wastes originating from exceptional circumstances including accidents.
  • Wastes whose nature or origin is unknown.
  • Waste which ERA does not have any previous knowledge upon.

This list is not exhaustive.

 

2) Technical feasibility and economic viability for shipments of waste for

In case of shipments of waste for disposal, a notifier must demonstrate that the waste cannot be recovered in a technically feasible and economically viable manner, or that it must be disposed of due to legal obligations in Union or international law. For further information about how to demonstrate that these conditions are fulfilled, you may wish to refer to the IMPEL guidance document which lays down detailed criteria for the uniform application of these conditions across the Union.

 

3) Contracts

A legally enforceable contract between the notifier and consignee has to be submitted if the two establishments are not under the control of the same legal entity. If the consignee is not the operator of the facility, the contract must also list the operator of the facility as an additional party. A contract must include all obligations specified in Article 6 of WSR and shall be concluded and effective at the time of notification and for the duration of the shipment until a certificate is issued in accordance with Article 15(5), Article 16(6) or, where appropriate, Article 15(4) of WSR.

Additional obligations apply if the notified shipment is destined for any subsequent interim and/or non-interim recovery operation(s) or interim and/or non-interim disposal operation(s).

Further additional obligations also apply if the notified shipment consists of the following:

  • Export of waste destined for disposal to an EFTA country which is also a Party to the Basel Convention; OR
  • Export of non-hazardous waste for recovery to a country to which the OECD Decision does not apply (where such export is subject to the procedure of prior written notification and consent); OR
  • Export of waste for recovery to a country outside the Union to which the OECD Decision applies.

In the event that a dealer or broker acts as notifier, a legally enforceable contract between the waste producer and the dealer/broker is also required. This contract must include obligations which need to be fulfilled by both parties and shall be concluded and effective at the time of notification and for the duration of the shipment until a certificate is issued in accordance with Article 15(5), Article 16(6) or, where appropriate, Article 15(4) of WSR.

Contract templates are available for download in the links provided above.

 

4) Financial guarantee or equivalent insurance

Shipments of waste subject to the prior informed consent procedure must be covered by a financial guarantee or equivalent insurance at the latest at the time of the completion of the movement form. The financial guarantee or equivalent insurance must be established by the notifier or by another natural or legal person on its behalf. In certain cases, competent authorities may decide that a financial guarantee or equivalent insurance must be established at the time of the notification. Its purpose is to ensure that sufficient funds are made available by the notifier to allow the competent authority to dispatch to fulfil take back obligations or to treat the waste in an alternative manner where a shipment cannot be completed as intended or where a shipment is illegal. A financial guarantee or equivalent insurance including form, wording and amount of cover must be approved by the competent authority of dispatch. In certain cases, ERA as competent authority of transit or destination, may also require an additional financial guarantee or equivalent insurance.

All financial guarantees or equivalent insurances submitted to ERA, as competent authority of dispatch, destination or transit, must be issued by a local banking institution or insurance company licensed by the Malta Financial Services Authority and must be in favour of ERA. The original financial guarantee or equivalent insurance must be delivered to ERA, at least four (4) working days before the shipments starts, where it will be kept until its release. ERA may also accept financial guarantees or equivalent insurances covering multiple notifications as long as the appropriate funds are made available.

If the notifier is unable to provide evidence of a financial guarantee or equivalent insurance prior to commencing shipments, a letter of intent may be submitted instead. The letter of intent (i.e. template is available for download) is a declaration from the notifier confirming his/her intentions to submit a financial guarantee or equivalent insurance while the notification is being assessed by the respective competent authorities. The competent authorities concerned may still provide their consent despite no financial guarantee or equivalent insurance is in place. However, shipments cannot commence until the original financial guarantee or equivalent insurance is received and approved by ERA.

The financial guarantee or equivalent insurance must be valid from the time of the completion of the movement form until receipt and acceptance of all certificates issued in accordance with Article 15(5), Article 16(6) or, where appropriate, Article 15(4) of WSR. However, ERA understands that financial institutions may wish to limit their liabilities to specific dates. Therefore, where a financial guarantee or equivalent insurance covers a single shipment or multiple shipments pertaining to one notification, a validity period of two 3/5 years from the date of authorisation is suggested to allow sufficient time for shipments to take place and waste to undergo treatment after the expiry of a notification. Where a financial guarantee or equivalent insurance covers single or multiple shipments pertaining to several notifications, the financial institution shall give a 455 days’ notice in writing of termination to ERA. The Authority may proceed to claim the financial guarantee or equivalent insurance prior to its expiry for any shipments pending disposal/recovery certificates unless within at least fourteen (14) working days prior to expiry:

  • the notifier informs ERA in writing about his/her intentions to renew the financial guarantee or equivalent insurance; or
  • the original renewed financial guarantee or equivalent insurance is received and approved by ERA.

The assessment of financial guarantees or equivalent insurances is facilitated through their submission in a standard format. For this purpose, template of the financial guarantee and equivalent insurance are available for download. The wording used shall be followed as closely as possible, subject to slight variations to accommodate individual banking/insurance practices or procedures. The use of a non-standard financial guarantee or equivalent insurance or significant variations thereof may result in delays for approval or the rejection of the financial guarantee or equivalent insurance.

Information about the release of a financial guarantee or equivalent insurance is available in the ‘Additional Information’ page of our website.

In order to calculate the amount of a financial guarantee or equivalent insurance, the notifier must provide ERA with the following information:

  • Container size;
  • Number of active shipments covered by the financial guarantee or equivalent insurance (i.e. the maximum number of shipments that the notifier intends to have in transit and awaiting disposal or recovery, at any one time, subject to the issuing of recovery/disposal certificate/s.);
  • Maximum quantity of waste to be covered by each active shipment;
  • Disposal/recovery cost per tonne;
  • Shipping costs from the facility/storage site in Malta to the recovery/disposal facility abroad; and
  • Storage costs for ninety (90) days at the last port of call. Storage arrangements in alternative locations may also be accepted on a case-by-case depending on specific circumstances.

All costs must be provided in euro currency and must reflect the actual costs excluding any discounts based on predetermined agreements or preferential costs which cannot be extended to ERA. The financial guarantee or equivalent insurance covering costs for transport, treatment and storage of waste must be calculated as follows:

Size of financial guarantee or equivalent insurance = N [3(SH+ST) + T (Q)]

  • N = number of active shipments
  • SH = Cost of shipment from the waste generator to the treatment facility
  • ST = Cost of storage for 90 days at the last port of call
  • T = Cost of treatment (per tonne)
  • Q = Quantity of waste (tonne)

 

5) Documentation related to the treatment facility(ies)

A signed and dated declaration from the facility confirming that it is duly in possession of a valid environmental authorisation from the relevant competent authority for the receipt of the waste intended for export and to undergo the treatment specified in the notification is required. The validity of this declaration shall not exceed one (1) year from the date of issue. Declaration template is available for download.

Alternatively, if such declaration cannot be submitted, the below requirements apply:

  • A copy of the facility’s permit according to Chapter IV of Directive 2008/98/EC. If the recovery or disposal facility is listed in Annex I, Category 5 of Directive 2010/75/EU, a copy of a valid permit issued in accordance with Articles 4 and 5 of that Directive is required. If the facility is not subject to the Directive 2008/98/EC or Directive 2010/75/EU, a copy of the relevant environmental permit under which the latter is authorised to operate is required.
  • A declaration issued by the competent authority concerned may also be submitted instead. Such declaration must clearly quote the environmental permit reference number, state that the disposal/recovery facility is currently in possession of a valid environmental permit issued by the competent authority concerned (include details of competent authority) to accept and treat waste classified as EWC Code/s XX XX XX for operation XX (refer to Annexes I & II of Directive 2008/98/EC on waste). Reference to any applicable import state legislation concerning the validity/waste acceptance/treatment operation of the environmental authorisation must also be included.

These requirements apply to all facilities carrying out treatment of waste for a notified shipment including any subsequent interim and/or non-interim facilities.

For any notifications where the competent authority of destination is located outside the Union, ERA reserves the right to accept only a copy of the environmental permit of the facility and any other documents which may be deemed necessary for the assessment of the notification.

Apart from the above requirements related to the environmental permit of the treatment facility(ies), a copy of a valid insurance policy against liability for damage to third parties for the interim/non-interim facility shall also be provided including full terms and conditions.

N.B. Any requirements making reference to insurance policies against liability for damage to third parties shall stipulate that these include cover for material and immaterial damages including cases of bodily injuries and death.

 

6) Carrier’s documentation

The following documents related to intended carriers have to be included as part of the notification:

  • Waste carrier registration/license (only applicable to rail and road carriers): Relevant license certificates (and/or authorisation/registration numbers) of all intended transport companies for the movement of waste according to export/transit/import state law to be provided for each prospective carrier.
  • Insurance policy: Copy of a third party liability insurance certificate for transport companies, which must cover damage to third parties including persons arising from the movement of waste. Alternatively, for cargo vessels, a copy of Protection & Indemnity insurance and certificate of entry may be accepted instead.

OR

  • If the documents mentioned in points (i) and (ii) cannot be submitted, a letter of declaration (Declarations are available for download) from each carrier confirming that the above requirements are met may also be submitted instead.

N.B. Requirements for bulk carriers may vary on a case-by-case basis.

N.B. ERA may still request further information/documentation pursuant to Part 3, Annex II of WSR on a case-by-case basis, particularly in case of exports of waste outside the Union.   

 

 

Section C: Prior informed consent procedure
1) Export notifications
  1. A notification must be submitted by the notifier to the attention of all competent authorities concerned via the electronic system. Where a notified shipment involves third countries and those competent authorities do not have access to the electronic system, the notifier shall ensure that the notification is sent by post, or if appropriate, by fax or e-mail with digital signature, to the competent authority of destination and/or any competent authority of transit outside the Union, unless those authorities have access to the electronic system. In case of e-mail with digital signature, any stamp or signature required shall be replaced by the digital signature. When applicable, this format of communication must be used for all exchanges between the notifier and the competent authorities concerned. It is highly recommended that operators outside the Union register in DIWASS.
  2. If payment of administrative fees is not completed within ten (10) working days following receipt of a notification, the notification will be dismissed.
  3. Within ten (10) working days following receipt of a notification and payment of applicable administrative fees, ERA must inform the notifier whether a notification is properly carried out or if additional information and/or documentation is required. If a notification is considered properly carried out, ERA must inform the other competent authorities concerned (i.e. competent authority of destination and any competent authorities of transit) accordingly within the said timeframe.
  4. If a request for additional information and/or documentation is made by ERA, the notifier must reply within ten (10) working days. An extension of this period may be provided in exceptional cases, where such request is received from the notifer within the said timeframe and accompanied by a valid justification. Requests for an extension will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
  5. If after the conclusion of a first request, the additional information and/or documentation is satisfactory, ERA must inform the other competent authorities concerned that the notification is considered properly carried out. If the additional information and/or documentation submitted is still not satisfactory, ERA must send a second request for additional information and/or documentation to the notifier within seven (7) working days. If no additional information and/or documentation is received within the stipulated timeframes, the notification will be dismissed. The notifier must proceed in line with point (iv).
  6. A final request for additional information and/or documentation in line with point (v) must be carried out in cases where the additional information and/or documentation submitted, following a second request, is still not satisfactory.
  7. If after the conclusion of a final request, the additional information and/or documentation submitted is still not satisfactory, the notification will be dismissed.
  8. If the additional information and/or documentation submitted by the notifier following a second or final request by ERA is satisfactory, the latter must inform the other competent authorities concerned accordingly within seven (7) working days.
  9. Once ERA informs the other competent authorities concerned that a notification is properly carried out, the said competent authorities must inform the notifier whether the notification is properly completed or if additional information and/or documentation is required within ten (10) working days. If a notification involves competent authorities of transit outside the Union, an acknowledgement must be provided by the said competent authority instead of informing whether the notification is properly completed.
  10. If any request for additional information and/or documentation is received from the other competent authorities concerned, the notifier must reply within ten (10) working days with the possibility of an extension in line with point (iv).
  11. If the additional information and/or documentation submitted by the notifier to any of the other competent authorities concerned is not considered satisfactory, the competent authority which made the request, may make up to two more requests for additional information and/or documentation which must be sent to the notifier within seven (7) working days following receipt of the additional information and/or documentation from the notifier. The notifier must proceed in line with point (x).
  12. The other competent authorities concerned may dismiss a notification in cases where no additional information and/or documentation is submitted or if the additional information and/or documentation submitted by the notifier following any request made is not satisfactory.
  13. If the additional information and/or documentation submitted by the notifier following a second or final request by any of the other competent authorities concerned is satisfactory, the competent authority which made the request must inform the other competent authorities concerned accordingly within three (3) working days.
  14. If the notification is for shipments destined to a pre-consented facility the timeframes mentioned in points (iii), (iv), (ix) and (x) are shortened to five (5) days and the timeframes mentioned in points (v) and (xi) are shortened to three (3) days.
  15. In case of an export of waste from Malta for disposal within the Union with transit via third countries which are not Parties to the Basel Convention, ERA must ask these competent authorities whether they wish to send their written consent to the notified shipment within a period agreed between the competent authorities.
  16. Once the other competent authorities concerned confirm that the notification is properly completed, each competent authority within the Union must communicate its decision, within thirty (30) days after the date on which the notifier has been informed by the competent authority of destination that the notification is properly completed, as follows:
    • Consent without conditions;
    • Consent with conditions in accordance with Article 10 of WSR;
    • Objections in accordance with Article 12 of WSR; and
    • Not to consent, where the conditions in Article 11 of WSR are not fulfilled.
  17. A tacit consent is valid for the period as indicated in the written consent given by the competent authority of destination.
  18. Tacit consent by the competent authorities of transit within the Union may be assumed if no objection is lodged within thirty (30) days following receipt of confirmation from the competent authority of destination that the notification is properly completed.
  19. In case a shipment of waste within the Union, a shipment of waste from the Union for disposal to an EFTA country which is also a Party to the Basel Convention or a shipment of non-hazardous waste from the Union for recovery to which the OECD Decision does not apply, includes transit via one or more third countries which are also Parties to the Basel Convention, those competent authorities of transit outside the Union shall have sixty (60) days after the date of transmission of its acknowledgement of receipt of a properly completed notification to provide, if the country concerned has decided not to require prior written consent and has informed the other Parties to the Basel Convention thereof in accordance with Article 6(4) of that Convention, tacit consent or to give a written consent with or without conditions.
  20. In case a shipment from the Union and destined for recovery in countries to which the OECD Decision applies includes transit through a country to which the OECD Decision does not apply, the competent authority of transit outside the Union to which the OECD Decision does not apply shall have sixty (60) days after the date of transmission of its acknowledgement of receipt of a properly completed notification to provide, if the country concerned has decided not to require prior written consent and has informed the other Parties to the Basel Convention thereof in accordance with Article 6(4) of that Convention, tacit consent or to give a written consent with or without conditions
  21. In case where a shipment of waste within the Union destined for recovery, including shipments between localities in the same Member State, with transit via one or more third countries to which the OECD Decision applies or a shipment of waste from the Union destined for recovery to countries to which the OECD Decision applies, the consent referred from the competent authority(ies) of transit outside the Union may be provided tacitly, and if no objection has been raised and any conditions laid down have been met, the shipment may start thirty (30) days after the date on which the notifier is informed that the notification is properly completed by the competent authority of destination.
  22. In case a shipment of waste within the Union, a shipment of waste from the Union for disposal to an EFTA country which is also a Party to the Basel Convention or a shipment of non-hazardous waste from the Union for recovery to which the OECD Decision does not apply, includes transit via one or more third countries which are also Parties to the Basel Convention, ERA can only take its decision to consent to the notified shipment only after having received the written consent from the competent authority of destination and, where appropriate, the tacit or written consent of a competent authority of transit (where that transit country is a Party to the Basel Convention) outside the Union, and not earlier than sixty one (61) days after the date of transmission of the acknowledgement of receipt of a properly completed notification from the competent authority of transit outside the Union, unless ERA is in receipt of the written consent from these competent authorities concerned beforehand, in which case ERA may take a decision before that time limit.
  23. In case of a shipment of waste from the Union to countries to which the OECD decision applies which includes transit through a country to which the OECD Decision does not apply, ERA can only recommend a decision to consent to the shipment only after having received the tacit or written consent from the competent authority of transit of the country to which the OECD Decision does not apply, and not earlier than sixty one (61) days after the date of transmission of the acknowledgement of receipt of a properly completed notification by a competent authority of transit outside the Union, unless ERA is in receipt of the written consent from the competent authorities concerned, in which case ERA may take the decision before that time limit.
2) Transit notifications
  1. Where a notifier is established within the Union, a notification must be submitted by the notifier to the attention of the competent authorities concerned using the electronic system. If the notified shipment involves third countries and those competent authorities do not have access to the electronic system, the notifier shall ensure that the notification is sent by post, or if appropriate, by fax or e-mail with digital signature, to the competent authority of destination and/or any competent authority of transit outside the Union, unless those authorities have access to the electronic system. In case of e-mail with digital signature, any stamp or signature required shall be replaced by the digital signature. When applicable, this format of communication must be used for all exchanges between the notifier and the competent authorities concerned. It is highly recommended that operators outside the Union register in DIWASS.
  2. Where a notifier is not established within the Union and has no access to the electronic system, the notification must be submitted by post, or if appropriate, by fax or e-mail with digital signature, to the competent authorities concerned. In case of e-mail with digital signature, any stamp or signature required shall be replaced by the digital signature. Where applicable, this format of communication must be used for all exchanges between the notifier and the competent authorities concerned. If the notified shipment is an import into the Union, the competent authority of destination must ensure that all relevant information is made available on the electronic system.
  3. Following receipt of confirmation from the competent authority of dispatch that a notification is properly carried out, ERA as competent authority of transit, must inform the notifier whether the notification is properly completed or if additional information and/or documentation is required within ten (10) working days. This also applies to the competent authority of destination and any other competent authorities of transit. If a notification involves competent authorities of transit outside the Union, an acknowledgement must be provided by ERA instead of informing whether the notification is properly completed.
  4. If payment of the application fee is not completed within ten (10) working days following receipt of confirmation from the competent authority of dispatch that the notification is properly carried out, the notification will be dismissed.
  5. Within ten (10) working days, following receipt of confirmation from the competent authority of dispatch and payment of the application fee, ERA must inform the notifier whether a notification is properly completed or if additional information and/or documentation is required. If a notification is considered properly completed, ERA must inform the other competent authorities concerned (i.e. competent authority of dispatch, destination and any competent authorities of transit) accordingly within the said timeframe.
  6. If a request for additional information and/or documentation is made by ERA, the notifier must reply within ten (10) working days. An extension of this period may be provided in exceptional cases, where such request is received from the notifer within the said timeframe and accompanied by a valid justification. Requests for an extension will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
  7. If after the conclusion of a first request, the additional information and/or documentation is satisfactory, ERA must inform the other competent authorities concerned that the notification is considered properly completed. If the additional information and/or documentation submitted is still not satisfactory, ERA must send a second request for additional information and/or documentation to the notifier within seven (7) working days. If no additional information and/or documentation is received within the stipulated timeframes, the notification will be dismissed. The notifier must proceed in line with point (vi).
  8. A final request for additional information and/or documentation in line with point (vii) must be carried out in cases where the additional information and/or documentation submitted, following a second request, is still not satisfactory.
  9. If after the conclusion of a final request, the additional information and/or documentation submitted is still not satisfactory, the notification will be dismissed.
  10. If the additional information and/or documentation submitted by the notifier following a second or final request by ERA is satisfactory, the latter must inform the other competent authorities concerned accordingly within three (3) working days.
  11. If the notification is for shipments destined to a pre-consented facility the timeframes mentioned in points (v) and (vi) are shortened to five (5) working days and the timeframe mentioned in point (vii) is shortened to three (3) working days.
  12. Once all competent authorities concerned confirm that the notification is properly completed, each competent authority within the Union must communicate its decision, within thirty (30) days after the date on which the notifier has been informed by the competent authority of destination that the notification is properly completed, as follows:
    • Consent without conditions;
    • Consent with conditions in accordance with Article 10 of WSR;
    • Objections in accordance with Article 12 of WSR; and
    • Not to consent, where the conditions in Article 11 of WSR are not fulfilled.
  13. A tacit consent is valid for the period as indicated in the written consent given by the competent authority of destination.
  14. Tacit consent by the competent authorities of transit within the Union may be assumed if no objection is lodged within thirty (30) days following receipt of confirmation from the competent authority of destination that the notification is properly completed.
  15. In case a shipment of waste within the Union, a shipment of waste from the Union for disposal to an EFTA country which is also a Party to the Basel Convention, a shipment of non-hazardous waste from the Union for recovery to which the OECD Decision does not apply or a shipment of waste into the Union or a shipment of waste through the Union from and to third countries, includes transit via one or more third countries which are also Parties to the Basel Convention, those competent authorities of transit outside the Union shall have sixty (60) days after the date of transmission of its acknowledgement of receipt of a properly completed notification to provide, if the country concerned has decided not to require prior written consent and has informed the other Parties to the Basel Convention thereof in accordance with Article 6(4) of that Convention, tacit consent or to give a written consent with or without conditions.
  16. In case a shipment from the Union destined for recovery in countries to which the OECD Decision applies includes transit through a country to which the OECD Decision does not apply, the competent authority of transit outside the Union to which the OECD Decision does not apply shall have sixty (60) days after the date of transmission of its acknowledgement of receipt of a properly completed notification to provide, if the country concerned has decided not to require prior written consent and has informed the other Parties to the Basel Convention thereof in accordance with Article 6(4) of that Convention, tacit consent or to give a written consent with or without conditions
  17. In case of a shipment of waste within the Union destined for recovery, including shipments between localities in the same Member State, with transit via one or more third countries to which the OECD Decision applies, a shipment of waste from the Union destined for recovery to countries to which the OECD Decision applies or a shipment of waste into the Union destined for recovery from and through countries to which the OECD Decision applies, the consent referred from the competent authority(ies) of transit outside the Union may be provided tacitly, and if no objection has been raised and any conditions laid down have been met, the shipment may start thirty (30) days after the date on which the notifier is informed that the notification is properly completed by the competent authority of destination.
  18. In case of a shipment of waste into the Union for recovery from countries to which the OECD Decision applies or from other areas during situations of crises or war, the consent from the competent authority of dispatch outside the Union may be provided in the form of a tacit consent.

 

3) Import notifications
  1. Where a notifier is established within the Union, a notification must be submitted by the notifier to the attention of the competent authorities concerned using the electronic system. If the notified shipment involves third countries and those competent authorities do not have access to the electronic system, the notifier shall ensure that the notification is sent by post, or if appropriate, by fax or e-mail with digital signature, to the competent authority of destination and/or any competent authority of transit outside the Union, unless those authorities have access to the electronic system. In case of e-mail with digital signature, any stamp or signature required shall be replaced by the digital signature. When applicable, this format of communication must be used for all exchanges between the notifier and the competent authorities concerned. It is highly recommended that operators outside the Union register in DIWASS.
  2. Where a notifier is not established within the Union and has no access to the electronic system, the notification must be submitted by post, or if appropriate, by fax or e-mail with digital signature, to the competent authorities concerned. In case of e-mail with digital signature, any stamp or signature required shall be replaced by the digital signature. Where applicable, this format of communication must be used for all exchanges between the notifier and the competent authorities concerned. If the notified shipment is an import into the Union, ERA as competent authority of destination, must ensure that all relevant information is made available on the electronic system.
  3. Following receipt of confirmation from the competent authority of dispatch that a notification is properly carried out, ERA as competent authority of destination, must inform the notifier whether the notification is properly completed or if additional information and/or documentation is required within ten (10) working days. This also applies to any their competent authorities of transit.
  4. If payment of the application fee is not completed within ten (10) working days following receipt of confirmation from the competent authority of dispatch that the notification is properly carried out, the notification will be dismissed.
  5. Within ten (10) working days, following receipt of confirmation from the competent authority of dispatch and payment of the application fee, ERA must inform the notifier whether a notification is properly completed or if additional information and/or documentation is required. If a notification is considered properly completed, ERA must inform the other competent authorities concerned (i.e. competent authority of dispatch, destination and any competent authorities of transit) accordingly within the said timeframe.
  6. If a request for additional information and/or documentation is made by ERA, the notifier must reply within ten (10) working days. An extension of this period may be provided in exceptional cases, where such request is received from the notifer within the said timeframe and accompanied by a valid justification. Requests for an extension will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
  7. If after the conclusion of a first request, the additional information and/or documentation is satisfactory, ERA must inform the other competent authorities concerned that the notification is considered properly completed. If the additional information and/or documentation submitted is still not satisfactory, ERA must send a second request for additional information and/or documentation to the notifier within seven (7) working days. If no additional information and/or documentation is received within the stipulated timeframes, the notification will be dismissed. The notifier must proceed in line with point (vi).
  8. A final request for additional information and/or documentation in line with point (vii) must be carried out in cases where the additional information and/or documentation submitted, following a second request, is still not satisfactory.
  9. If after the conclusion of a final request, the additional information and/or documentation submitted is still not satisfactory, the notification will be dismissed.
  10. If the additional information and/or documentation submitted by the notifier following a second or final request by ERA is satisfactory, the latter must inform the other competent authorities concerned accordingly within three (3) working days.
  11. Once all competent authorities concerned confirm that the notification is properly completed, each competent authority within the Union must communicate its decision, within thirty (30) days after the date on which the notifier has been informed by ERA (as competent authority of destination) that the notification is properly completed, as follows:
    • Consent without conditions;
    • Consent with conditions in accordance with Article 10 of WSR;
    • Objections in accordance with Article 12 of WSR; and
    • Not to consent, where the conditions in Article 11 of WSR are not fulfilled.
  12. A tacit consent is valid for the period as indicated in the written consent given by the ERA as competent authority of destination.
  13. Tacit consent by the competent authorities of transit within the Union may be assumed if no objection is lodged within thirty (30) days following receipt of confirmation from the competent authority of destination that the notification is properly completed.
  14. In case a shipment of waste within the Union or a shipment of waste into the Union, includes transit via one or more third countries which are also Parties to the Basel Convention, those competent authorities of transit outside the Union shall have 60 days after the date of transmission of its acknowledgement of receipt of a properly completed notification to provide, if the country concerned has decided not to require prior written consent and has informed the other Parties to the Basel Convention thereof in accordance with Article 6(4) of that Convention, tacit consent or to give a written consent with or without conditions.
  15. In case where a shipment of waste within the Union, including shipments between localities in the same Member State, with transit via one or more third countries to which the OECD Decision applies or a shipment of waste into the Union destined for recovery from and through countries to which the OECD Decision applies, the consent from the competent authority(ies) of transit outside the Union may be provided tacitly, and if no objection has been raised and any conditions laid down have been met, the shipment may start thirty (30) days after the date on which the notifier is informed that the notification is properly completed by the competent authority of destination.
  16. In case of a shipment of waste into the Union for recovery from countries to which the OECD Decision applies or from other areas during situations of crises or war, the consent from the competent authority of dispatch outside the Union may be provided in the form of a tacit consent.

Section D: Export/transit/import of end-of-life vessels or other floating structures for recovery/disposal

In case of shipment of waste involving end-of-life vessels or other floating structures (please refer to the definition laid down in Regulation (EU) 1257/2013 on ship recycling) kindly contact the TFS Permitting Team via e-mail on [email protected] to obtain further information about applicable requirements.

Section E: Compliance Following Authorisation

The notifier is responsible for all information provided in the notification. Any wrong or false declarations and/or information will be investigated accordingly. Shipments of waste may only take place after the requirements stipulated in Article 16(1) to (4) of WSR are satisfied and if the following conditions are fulfilled:

  • the notifier has received written consent from the competent authorities of dispatch, destination and, where appropriate, transit and the conditions laid down in those consents or their annexes have been met; AND
  • a contract between the notifier and the consignee as referred to in Article 6 of WSR has been concluded and is effective; AND
  • a financial guarantee or equivalent insurance as referred to in Article 7 of WSR has been established and is effective; AND
  • waste management in an environmentally sound manner as referred to in Article 59 of WSR is ensured.

ERA reserves the right to suspend or withdraw its consent and to inform the notifier and all competent authorities concerned in writing in case of any infringements or for any reason deemed appropriate. For further information about requirements following consent and/or compliance and enforcement related to shipments of waste please refer to the relevant webpage on our website or you may contact the Compliance & Enforcement Unit on [email protected].

Definition of the Term “Transit
    • Definition varies across EU Member States and third countries.
    • Operators must confirm how each transit country interprets “transit”, including where shipments only pass through territorial waters.
    • Reference document by the Commission (based on MS feedback) is available for guidance.
Third-Party Insurance Requirements
    • By signing Block 17 of the notification, the notifier declares that insurance against third party liability is in place.
    • Insurance must cover the entire notification period until certificates under Articles 15(4), 16(5) or 15(5) WSR are issued.
    • Competent authorities may request a copy of this insurance.
    • This insurance is separate from the financial guarantee required under Article 7 WSR.
Changes in Shipment After Consent
    • Notifier must immediately notify authorities and consignee of any essential change, including;
      • Quantity
      • Route or routing
      • Carriers
      • Date of shipment
      • Duration of shipment.
    • If changes involve the notifier or authorities, a new notification is required.
    • Modification requests must include all details, documentation and justification.
    • Authorities should reply within 5 working days.
    • ERA is not responsible for delays due to invalid, late, or incomplete modification requests.
    • Requests must be submitted via DIWASS, and for non‑EU authorities also sent by post, fax, or digitally signed email.
    • Discussions on changes must occur via email, as DIWASS only records final approvals or disagreements.
Expiry of a Notification

A notification expires if:

      • The validity date in Block 20 has elapsed; OR
      • All shipments allowed are completed before expiry; OR
      • The maximum permitted quantity is reached early.

Waste must arrive at the facility before expiry of tacit or written consent.

Withdrawal of Consent

Consent must be withdrawn if:

    • Waste composition differs from the notification;
    • Conditions of shipment are not respected;
    • Waste is not recovered or disposed of as per the facility permit;
    • Waste management contradicts the notification or documents
    • The financial guarantee or contract is terminated;
    • Withdrawal is requested by the notifier.

Consent may also be withdrawn if:

    • A delegated act prohibiting export enters into force;
    • Removal of a country or waste stream from the Article 41 list enters into force.

When consent is withdrawn:

    • Shipment or treatment must stop and Articles 22 or 25 WSR apply.
Release of a Financial Guarantee / Equivalent Insurance
    • Release can be requested once required certificates under Articles 15(4), 15(5), and 16(6) are received.
    • For interim operations, dispatch and destination authorities may agree to release earlier.
    • Guarantees covering multiple notifications may be partially released for completed or withdrawn notifications.
    • Incorrect certificates causing improper release may trigger liabilities or application of Articles 25(8) and 26(2).
    • ERA will issue an official letter to the bank or insurer to authorise release.
    • Amendments reducing coverage require ERA’s written confirmation; increases or additions do not, but the original amendment must still be submitted.
    • Requests for release must be sent to [email protected].
Refund of Fees
    • Notification processing fees are non‑refundable and non‑transferable.
    • Requests for refund of unused movement form fees must be submitted to [email protected] within 1 month of dismissal, expiry, or withdrawal.
    • ERA may reject requests received after the deadline.
Audit Requirement (Applicable from 21 May 2027)
    • Exports outside the EU are allowed only to audited facilities.
    • The audit must show that the facility manages waste in an environmentally sound manner.
    • The notifier may:
      • Commission an audit: OR
      • Obtain an audit commissioned by another notifier or the facility.
    • The audit must be less than 2 years old at the start of export.
    • Ad-hoc audits are required if compliance concerns arise.
    • Non‑compliance requires immediate cessation of exports and informing authorities.
    • Evidence of all required audits must be included in the notification.
    • An annual public summary of compliance is required from the notifier.
    • Commission’s audit register is available but listing alone does not confirm compliance.
Monitoring and Safeguard Procedure (Applicable from 21 May 2027)
    • The Commission monitors exports to OECD Decision countries.
    • If increased exports or issues arise, the Commission may:
      • Request information from the destination country;
      • Prohibit exports if concerns remain unresolved.
    • When an export ban enters into force, all affected consents must be withdrawn.
    • Prohibitions may later be lifted if evidence supports it.
Electronic System and Format of Communication (DIWASS)
    • DIWASS is the primary system for all notification and movement document exchanges.
    • Technical support is available via SANTE [email protected].
    • Manuals and video demonstrations are available by the Commission’s through this link.
    • Use of DIWASS is mandatory unless the notifier is outside the EU with no system access.
    • Non‑EU authorities or facilities without DIWASS access must receive documents by post, fax, or digitally signed email.
    • All external exchanges must be mirrored in DIWASS.
    • Acknowledgements of receipt for imports or transits must be shared with authorities lacking system access by post, fax, or digitally signed email.
Registration of Operators and Sites on DIWASS
    • All operators involved in waste shipments (producer, notifier, consignee, facility, carrier) must register.
    • Operators are identified by a mandatory identification number.
    • Where required, the EORI number is the main identification number.
    • Main address must be used during first registration.
    • Operators not required to have EORI must provide their VAT registration number, Voluntary Organisation Number (VO) or e-ID number (as applicable).
    • All additional sites or locations with a different name or address must also be registered.
    • Sites with different identification numbers must be registered as separate operators.
    • First approved user becomes the master user and may add or remove users.
    • Operators must immediately inform authorities of any changes to registered data.
    • Third‑country operators can register via the competent authority of the dispatch/destination in the Member State which in the context of a notification is acting as a competent authority of dispatch/destination.
    • Registration instructions and video demonstrations are available by the Commission through this link.
Thresholds for Green Listed Plastic Waste
    • Interpretations of the terms “almost free from contamination and other types of wastes” and “almost exclusively consisting of” laid down in Correspondents Guidelines No.12 on the classification of plastic waste are now legally binding for green‑listed plastic waste.
    • For entries classified under EU3011, contamination and non‑target materials must not exceed 6% of the total weight of the consignment.
    • For entries classified under B3011, contamination and non‑target materials must not exceed 2% of the total weight of the consignment.
    • Operators must ensure proper sorting and homogeneity; exceeding limits may result in reclassification and additional regulatory requirements.

In order to register a vehicle, the applicant is to download one of the applications below and submit the following information:

All applications:
  • A general description of the type vehicle or vessel being registered
  • Three good-quality colour photographs representative of the vehicle or vessel being applied for from the front, back and side and clearly
  • ​Details of owner of the vehicle/ vessel and the company under which the application is being made
  • Currently no fees applicable
Class A, C, D:
  • Vehicle registration number
  • Copy of last registration certificate issued by Transport Malta*
    Registered capacity in volume and vehicle tonnage
  • For vehicles registered under A3, C1, C2, D1 and D3 details of the containment measures that ensure secure containment of waste in accordance with good practice. In the case of skip/hook loaders carrying liquid waste or sludge such measures shall cover the same container carrying waste
  • For vehicles registered under A3, C1, C2, D1 and D3 an engineer’s certificate specifying that the waste containment systems are in good operational order*.
  • In the case of skip/hook loaders carrying liquid waste or sludge the certificate shall cover the same container carrying waste.
Class B (Vessels):
  • Registered name, flag and official number
  • Copy of last registration certificate issued by Transport Malta or in the case of non-Maltese flag carrier by the respective regulatory authority*
  • Details of the containment measures that ensure secure containment of waste in accordance with good practice
  • Copy of the Transport Malta authorized ship surveyor’s certificate certifying that the vessel is adequate to carry the specific wastes being applied for, and has the necessary containment measures in accordance with good practice, and which are in good working order*
  • Registered capacity in volume and tonnage of vessel
    Details of positioning systems available on-board (a Global Positioning System is the minimum requirement)
  • Details of systems that allow the remote tracking of the vessel movements

Note: * denotes information which must also be submitted with each renewal of the permit​

Registration and Renewal Forms

Application for registration of vehicle

Application for registration of vessel

The registration form can be collected from all ERA office at Hexagon House, Spencer Hill, Marsa during office hours​.

Registration of vehicles is valid for a maximum of one year and applicants are required to submit and application to renew annually. As from June 2018, registration holders are required to submit a new application form through the e-forms system should they wish to renew their permit. Applicants are required to submit a copy of the valid vehicle license and an updated engineer’s report upon each renewal.

Registered waste carriers are issued subject to conditions listed in the GBR Guidance Document (download here​) and with a tag that should be affixed on the wind screen of the vehicle. Only registered waste carriers are allowed to enter authorised waste facilities.

Waste carriers not in possession of this tag caught carrying waste may be subject to legal action, which may even include the confiscation of the vehicle/vessel.

For more information, call the Environmental Permitting and Industry Unit office at ERA on telephone no. 2292 3500 or on e-mail: [email protected].

 

Last updated 25/08/2020