On Tuesday 31 March, the European Commission published a guidance document setting out a common approach to secure the continuation of waste shipments across the EU in the exceptional circumstances created by the coronavirus epidemic, while at the same time respecting European environmental law and the health of its citizens.
The Commission recommends using the ‘green lanes’ reserved for vehicles transporting essential goods during the Covid-19 outbreak (see EUROPE 12452/14), and replacing paper-based procedures for waste shipments with electronic data exchanges in order to speed up border crossings and avoid contact as much as possible.
The five-page document, which is based on identified best practice and complies with the current legal framework, provides economic operators, all relevant stakeholders, and the competent authorities in Member States with the means to anticipate and minimise any potential barriers to cross-border shipments of waste within the EU.
“Our companies dealing with waste continue providing an essential service to our society even in these difficult times. The Commission works with the Member States to keep the green lanes for waste open so that it could be shipped without delay, become the resource for another industry or get its most appropriate treatment in the EU. This is an essential task to protect our health and the environment, and keep the circular economy moving ahead”, said EU Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius.
To access the practical guide, go to: https://bit.ly/2WW7yJb (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)