The European Commission on Monday received requests from Nigeria and 23 other non-members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries seeking inclusion in the list of nations eligible to import non-hazardous waste from the European Union.
Non-hazardous waste, which accounts for 95.6 per cent of solid waste produced in Europe, includes municipal waste such as packaging, clothing, bottles, and plastics, as well as demolition materials like concrete, bricks, stones, and food waste.
In a statement issued, the request was made in line with the new Waste Shipments Regulation, introduced as part of the EU’s Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan.
The regulation aims to establish stricter rules for the shipment of waste, including imports and exports between the EU and non-OECD countries. One key measure is the full ban on the export of plastic waste from the EU by November 2026.
Countries applying for eligibility to import non-hazardous waste must demonstrate their ability to manage these materials in an environmentally sound manner, with conditions that meet or exceed those of the EU.
The European Commission requires detailed information from the applicants to assess their readiness for this responsibility.
The countries that have submitted requests include Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, El Salvador, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, North Macedonia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Ukraine, and Vietnam, alongside Nigeria.
“By that date, 24 requests were received for inclusion on the list of countries eligible to import non-hazardous waste from the EU after 21 May 2027 from Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, El Salvador, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, Nigeria, North-Macedonia, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Taiwan1, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Ukraine and Vietnam,” the EC said.
The Commission will evaluate these applications and prepare a list of approved countries by November 2026. From May 2027 onwards, any country not included in this list will be prohibited from importing waste from the EU.
However, countries that missed the February 2025 deadline can still submit requests, although there is no guarantee their assessment will be finalised before the first list is adopted.
“The first list of countries authorised to receive waste from the EU will be established by 21 November 2026. Exports of waste to non-OECD countries that are not included in the list will be prohibited from 21 May 2027. This list will be updated regularly and at least every two years.
“Countries that have not submitted a request by 21 February 2025 can still send one to the Commission. These requests will still be considered, but there is no guarantee that their assessment will be finalised before establishing the first list of countries authorised to import waste from the EU. This first list is planned for adoption in November 2026,” the statement concluded.
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