Recycling bodies have urged more non-OECD countries to apply for inclusion to import non-hazardous waste from the EU as its new waste shipment review (WSR) continues to progress.
The WSR will set new rules on shipments of certain materials in line with the European Green Deal and second EU Circular Economy Action Plan, which the bloc said is to ensure better environmental waste management and address illegal trafficking of waste.
Under the new regulation, stricter restrictions will come into force on the shipment of non-hazardous waste, such as recycled metals and recovered paper, to non-OECD countries from 21 May 2027, along with the full ban on plastic waste exports from 21 November 2026.
Currently two dozen non-OECD countries have formally requested access to import non-hazardous waste from the EU, before the 21 February deadline.
When the rules come into force, the EU said the list will be updated regularly and at least every two years.
The EU said other countries can still request to be considered, but does not guarantee assessment will be finalised for when the first list of authorised countries is released in November 2026.
Recycling industry groups have urged non-OECD countries not in the list to act quickly to ensure inclusion, warning exclusion could hamper smooth international trade of recycled materials.
Europe's association Euric warned many countries would struggle to meet the now expired deadline, but said it appreciates the EU allowing late submissions which it strongly advocated.
"With nearly 150 non-OECD countries having failed to submit their notification on time, an automatic export ban by 21 May 2027 remains a serious risk," Euric added.
The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) asked its members based in non-OECD countries not listed to engage with national authorities to submit applications.
BIR said it will request that the European Commission disclose which material streams each applicant country has included in their application.
"This information is essential for our members to determine whether their materials are covered, allowing for better business planning across our supply chains," it said.
"We remain concerned about potential impact on recyclers in non-applicant countries and EU recyclers that rely on these export markets."
The list of countries requesting inclusion in importing material under the new WSR so far includes Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, El Salvador, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, Nigeria, North-Macedonia, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Ukraine and Vietnam.
