Recent advice has been given by the Environment Agency about the illegal export of waste and forthcoming action against those who continue to export waste.
End of Life Vehicles that have been depolluted are classified as ‘green’ waste, and the detail below is relevant to all who are exporting vehicles to the European Union.
The Environment Agency is the Competent Authority for England for regulating waste shipments in accordance with the European Waste Shipments Regulations EC1013/2006 (WSR) and the UK Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 2007 (TFS).
The Environment Agency have launched an awareness campaign which will run over the next three months. This campaign aims to warn exporters of the need to check that the destination can lawfully receive their shipment, that a proper contract is in place with a recovery facility and that the Annex VII forms are in place and correctly completed. This campaign will serve as a reminder to legitimate business and also a warning to those who are currently operating at the edge of legality.
From October 2014 the Environment Agency will start to issue Fixed Penalty Notices where compliance with the TFS Regulations has not been met.
Ultimately, every shipment should be accompanied by an Annex VII form which is fully completed. It should contain details of the consignee and be supported by a valid contract between the person arranging the shipment and consignee. The aim is to improve industry compliance with the law and become more aware of rogue operators and those who are trying to cut corners and transport waste illegally.
The main rules have been explained and the note (below) is not intended to be a comprehensive analysis of the current legislation; if you do require more detail you should seek independent legal advice.
Please ensure that your Green List shipments of waste are fully compliant with the law. For further guidance on how to complete an Annex VII form, visit https://www.gov.uk/importing-and-exporting-waste#import-or-export-article-18-controls.
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ACT NOW TO HELP US PREVENT ILLEGAL WASTE EXPORTS!
MAKE SURE YOUR GREEN LIST WASTE SHIPMENTS HAVE A COMPLETED ANNEX VII
The Environment Agency is the Competent Authority for England for regulating waste shipments in accordance with the European Waste Shipments Regulations EC 1013/2006 (WSR) and the UK Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 2007 (TFS).
Everyone involved in a shipment of waste (eg. producer/collector/exporter/broker/importer) may be liable under the WSR and has a responsibility to ensure that the shipment is lawful. The export of Green List waste listed in Annex III, IIIA or IIIB of the WSR is regulated by Article 18 of the WSR, and you must check that you are compliant with it (see below).
What do you need to do?
The Annex VII form must then be signed by the consignee and the recovery facility when the waste shipment is received. All three signatories must keep a copy of the document for at least 3 years from the date the shipment started.
What will happen if you do not comply?
It is a criminal offence to export Green List waste other than in accordance with a fully completed Annex VII form or without a valid contract in place. Such offending shows a failure of duty of care and creates an uneven playing field for those who make the effort to comply with the law.
The Environment Agency will take appropriate enforcement action (including the use of Fixed Penalty Notices) against such offences. Persistent offenders, or those engaging in fraud or misdescription, will be subject to more serious enforcement action, including prosecution.
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Can you leave gaps in the Annex VII form because of commercial confidentiality?
The European Court of Justice has ruled1 that the Annex VII form must be fully complete and the requirements of Article 18 of the WSR are more important than a right to the protection of business secrets or commercial confidentiality. Therefore all relevant details must be filled in.
The Environment Agency may ask to see any Annex VII form (or the information it contains) and any Article 18 contract for inspection, enforcement, planning and statistical purposes.
When does Article 18 WSR apply?
Article 18 controls generally apply to waste listed in annex III, IIIA, or IIIB of the WSR. Such waste is known as Green List, destined for recovery in the EU, OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) and non-OECD countries. However, you must check for any further restrictions, higher level of control or even prohibition for your country of destination and any countries of transit. A list of OECD countries, Competent Authorities and the level of controls can be found at
What is an Article 18 contract?
Article 18(2) requires a valid written contract between the person who arranges the shipment and the consignee for recovery. The contract must include an obligation, where the shipment of waste or its recovery cannot be completed or the shipment is illegal, on the person who arranges the shipment or (if they cannot) the importer/consignee to take the waste back or ensure its recovery in an alternative way. They must also, if necessary, arrange to store the waste in the meantime.
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Members involved in the export of 'used parts' should refer to the EA guidance on export of used car parts (can be downloaded from the members section of the MVDA website).
Motor Vehicle Dismantlers Association of Great Britain Office 5, Top Floor,
Charrington House, 17A Market St, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6JX, UK.
Charrington House, 17A Market St, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 6JX, UK.
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