What happened
The European Commission has released a proposed list of non-OECD countries that may be permitted to import non-hazardous waste from the EU after May 2027. It assessed 32 requests from countries seeking to continue receiving such material and published a report alongside the proposal.
Under the EU Waste Shipment Regulation, exports to non-OECD destinations will generally stop from 21 May 2027. A country can be exempted only if it has asked to receive EU waste and can show that it will manage it sustainably.
The Commission also published an assessment of EU plastic-waste exports to Türkiye, the largest OECD recipient of this material. EU shipments to Türkiye totalled 510,000 tonnes in 2025, from 1.4 million tonnes exported globally that year.
Why it matters
Companies involved in waste shipments face tighter destination rules. Plastic-waste exports from the EU to non-OECD countries will be prohibited from 21 November 2026. For exports to OECD countries, the Commission must examine whether receiving countries handle plastic waste in an environmentally sound way.
The Türkiye assessment notes steps to strengthen rules, inspections and penalties. However, it also points to gaps in publicly available information on plastic-waste generation and treatment, uncertainty over implementation measures to prevent environmental damage, and unclear management responsibilities. The Commission plans to discuss the findings with Turkish authorities and continue monitoring trade flows.
Background
The Waste Shipment Regulation took effect on 20 May 2024. The EU exported 32 million tonnes of waste in 2025, with roughly 40% sent to non-OECD countries. It produces about 40 million tonnes of plastic waste each year.
What's next
Comments on the proposed authorised-country list are open until 16 October 2026. The first list is due by the end of 2026 and will be reviewed at least every two years. Countries not included will be able to submit a new application.
