The EU announces progress on DIWASS to digitalise waste shipments, with a transition period for Annex VII.
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On 27 March, the European Commission brought together representatives from EU Member States and relevant stakeholders for a meeting of the waste shipment expert group. Taking place just two months ahead of the 21 May 2026 deadline, when major new rules on waste shipments are set to apply, the session focused on preparations for the rollout of the Digital Waste Shipment System (DIWASS), as well as transitional arrangements aimed at maintaining compliance and ensuring continuity of operations.
During the meeting, the Commission shared a progress update on the development and implementation of DIWASS, indicating that the system is expected to be ready for the forthcoming transition. This update comes in response to concerns previously raised by FEAD and other stakeholders regarding operational readiness and possible implementation challenges. To assist users, the Commission also confirmed that a series of instructional videos explaining how to use DIWASS will be made available on its official website in the coming weeks.
As of 21 May 2026, all operators involved in cross-border waste shipments within the EU will be obliged to submit notifications and Annex VII documents solely in digital form. Submissions may be made through one of the following channels:
EU Member States were required to inform the European Commission of their selected approach by 3 February 2026, indicating the option adopted by each competent authority. The Commission is expected to publish a summary of these choices in the coming weeks.
In addition, access to DIWASS will be made available on a voluntary basis to third countries and operators established outside the EU.
Although stakeholders broadly support the timely introduction of DIWASS as a key instrument to improve harmonisation and transparency, serious concerns remain regarding its implementation schedule.The system is not yet operational, and the registration process of thousands of operators has still to begin. During the 27 March meeting, the European Commission indicated that registrations would open on 21 April 2026, leaving a limited timeframe for Member States to review and approve applications before the system becomes mandatory.
In response to concerns raised by both industry stakeholders and Member States, the European Commission has proposed a transitional arrangement allowing Annex VII shipments to continue in paper format until the end of 2026. This proposal will be reflected in the official minutes of the expert group meeting and made available on the Commission’s website.
FEAD has welcomed this approach, considering it a necessary step to facilitate a smoother shift towards digital processes. The temporary flexibility may also help ease concerns linked to the new obligation requiring Annex VII submissions to be made two days in advance.
At the same time, FEAD advises operators to verify with their competent authorities whether this approach will be applied and under what conditions. It also urges those relying solely on Annex VII procedures to begin preparing for digitalisation without delay, including completing registration in DIWASS and ensuring readiness to use the system as soon as possible to avoid disruptions once the transition period ends.
In parallel, FEAD and other stakeholders will continue to call on the European Commission to reconsider the two-day advance submission requirement, with the aim of achieving a more practical and operationally aligned long-term framework.
No transitional arrangements will apply to notification procedures, meaning that operators will be required to use DIWASS from 21 May 2026. The European Commission has indicated that the system is expected to be fully tested and capable of managing a high volume of requests from the outset, with stress testing currently in progress.
To reduce exposure to these risks, FEAD advises operators to complete their registration in DIWASS promptly once the platform opens on 21 April and to seek guidance or training from their competent authorities. In some cases, operators already registered in national digital systems may be automatically migrated to DIWASS, although this should be confirmed with the relevant authorities to avoid duplication or administrative issues.
At TEIMAS, we have developed a practical guide covering the key aspects of DIWASS, aimed at helping professionals understand the system’s core requirements and prepare for its implementation. Download the free DIWASS guide here.
Find more information on the FEAD website.
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