Latest information from the Federal Environment Ministry (BMUKN) and the federal states on the Digital Waste Shipment System (DIWASS)

Shipments of waste that, in accordance with Article 4 (4) and (5), are subject to the general information requirements pursuant to Article 18 (EU) 2024/1157 – Annex VII documents – for the period from 21 May 2026 to 31 December 2026

The provisions of the recast Waste Shipment Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 become effective from 21 May 2026. One key element of the recast regulation is the digitalisation of administrative proceedings for waste shipment at European level. In preparation of the Digital Waste Shipment System – DIWASS, the requirements for such a system were laid down in an implementing regulation ((EU) 2025/1290), which was published in July 2025.

In the working group meeting on 27 March 2026, the European Commission proposed that, due to the delay in technical documentation, the Member States agree on a transitional period up to 31 December 2026 for the obligation for electronic submission pursuant to Article 27 (1)(b) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 for shipments of waste that, pursuant to Article 4 (4) and (5), are subject to the general information requirements pursuant to Article 18.

This means that up to and including 31 December 2026, it remains possible for Annex VII documents and other documents pursuant to Article 18 (EU) 2024/1157 that are required for such shipments of waste to be completed on paper. As the Waste Shipment Regulation prescribes the completion of the Annex VII document in the DIWASS in electronic form as mandatory and without transitional provisions or exemptions, the competent authorities cannot permit general or individual exemptions. However, the following is to be noted for the period from 21 May 2026 to 31 December 2026:

1. If it is not possible for a person involved in the shipment pursuant to Article 18 to complete Annex VII and other required documents electronically, no sanctions will be imposed in the period from 21 May 2026 to 31 December 2026 if the required documents for the shipment are completed on paper by the persons involved in the shipment and are enclosed on paper with the waste shipment.
2. The new Annex VII form of Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 must also be used when documenting on paper.
3. Submission of paper copies of the Annex VII documents to the competent authorities is not required.
4. Article 20 of Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 applies with regard to the keeping of these documents on paper.
5. All those involved in shipments must comply with the fundamental obligation of electronic documentation as quickly as possible and from 1 January 2027 at the latest.
6. As before, all those involved in waste shipments are still required to register in the DIWASS without delay.
7. Please note that the transitional provisions specified here do not apply to shipment procedures subject to notification. For those procedures, the obligation to use the digital DIWASS system applies from 21 May 2026.