Waste shipment rules from 21 May 2026: what changed

The main change: procedures become electronic

Until now, notifications and accompanying documents were often exchanged on paper or by email. Under the new regulation, notifications and Annex VII information must be submitted and exchanged electronically through the European Commission's DIWASS system.

According to the sources we reviewed, Annex VII information must be submitted digitally at least two working days before the shipment starts. Always check the exact deadlines and conditions in the official text or with your competent authority.

Transitional rules

• Notifications acknowledged before 21 May 2026 continue under the previous Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 until they are completed; the transition ends on 21 May 2027.
• Facilities with pre-consent have a longer transition, until 21 May 2029.

Next important dates

• 21 November 2026: exports of plastic waste to non-OECD countries are banned.
• 21 May 2027: the new rules for waste exports outside the EU apply, including facility audits and a list of countries to which exports are allowed.

What a company should do

• Check which current shipments still run under the old rules and which must start in the new system.
• Keep partner, waste code and permit data in one place so it can be entered electronically quickly.
• Decide who prepares and who approves the Annex VII information.

How Cargoleaf helps

Cargoleaf reads Annex VII and notification forms from PDF files and fills in the fields; a person checks and approves them. Cargoleaf does not replace DIWASS and is not affiliated with the European Commission; direct data exchange with DIWASS is planned but not available yet.

Official sources

• European Commission: new Waste Shipment Regulation and DIWASS go live
• Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 (EUR-Lex)

Read also

• What is DIWASS and how should a company prepare
• The Annex VII form: what to include and common mistakes