Brussels, 26/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - The European regulation compelling member states to proactively tackle illegal transfers of waste in the EU or those to developing countries, will soon be adopted. The European Parliament is expected to ratify the trialogue meeting compromise at its plenary session on 14-17 April. On 19 March last, the environment committee gave its approval for this regulation. Under the terms of the compromise, member states will have to establish inspection plans by 1 January 2017 on the basis of risk assessments. These plans will propose a minimum number of inspection targets and priorities, the geographical zone covered and the tasks allocated to the relevant authorities. These plans will also be subject to a scoreboard and will be updated at least once every three years. All information on the inspections will have to be published on an annual basis by the member states.
This regulation is due to enter into force on 1 January 2016 and will be reviewed by 2020. It seeks to amend Regulation 1013/2006 on the harmonisation of control levels in all EU member states and thus rectify incorrect implementation of this legislation that has proved all too easy to circumvent. (AN)