Green-listed waste · Digital obligation via DIWASS
From 1 January 2027, Annex VII must be handled digitally via DIWASS
What is still done on paper today will then have to be completed digitally in DIWASS. This includes completing the Annex VII document, notifying the shipment in advance, handing the waste over to the carrier, confirming receipt and recording completion of the recovery operation. We show you what changes, what you should do now and how the complete process works with ZEDAL.
- Webinars: experience the complete Annex VII process live in the system
- Always up to date: work in line with the latest EU requirements
- Directly connected: ZEDAL connects to DIWASS as an interoperable software via the EU interface
Annex VII at a glance
What is Annex VII? The document accompanying shipments of green-listed waste
Anyone shipping non-hazardous green-listed waste across a border for recovery does not usually need prior consent. They must, however, complete an Annex VII document to accompany the shipment, as required by the EU Waste Shipment Regulation (EU) 2024/1157. Typical examples include metal scrap, waste paper, waste glass, end-of-life tyres, and sawdust and wood chips from untreated wood.
The new regulation has applied since 21 May 2026. It requires all documents for cross-border waste shipments to be exchanged electronically via DIWASS, the European Commission's central system. As Annex VII had not yet been implemented technically in DIWASS at that time, the only alternative was to use paper, without penalties under the digital obligation. From 1 January 2027, Annex VII documents must be processed digitally, even when a paper copy is also carried for other reasons.
| Prior notification and consent | General information requirements (Annex VII) | |
|---|---|---|
| Which waste? | Hazardous waste, mixed municipal waste and fuels derived from it, all waste intended for disposal, and anything not on the green list as an individual entry or approved mixture | Non-hazardous green-listed waste for recovery, plus samples for laboratory analysis (up to 250 kg within the EU and up to 25 kg for export) |
| Is consent required? | Yes, consent must be obtained in advance from the competent authorities in the countries of dispatch, destination and transit | No, information requirement under Article 18. A contract between the person arranging the shipment and the consignee is mandatory. |
| DIWASS requirements | Electronic processing has been mandatory since 21 May 2026 | Legally mandatory since 21 May 2026 Technically available in DIWASS from 15 Nov 2026 Digital processing becomes mandatory from 1 Jan 2027 |
Four deadlines that are new
Article 18(5), (8), (9) and (10) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1157
Who is affected? More companies than you might think
Annex VII applies to anyone who ships non-hazardous green-listed waste abroad for recovery, or who receives it from abroad. Because the form used to be "just" a paper document, many are not aware of this.
New and often overlooked: If the person arranging the shipment is not the waste producer, they must ensure that the producer – or the relevant collector, dealer or broker – also signs the document where feasible. This is done electronically, without a signature card.
Everyone involved completes their part: Every company involved in the shipment completes its part of the document, including the carrier. This may include:
Industrial and commercial waste producers that ship recyclable materials abroad
Dealers and brokers of secondary raw materials such as scrap, waste paper or waste glass
Recycling and recovery facilities, as well as laboratories that receive waste from abroad
Waste management companies and carriers handling these shipments
Importing from a non-EU country? Clarify the process now
Your supplier outside the EU may not have direct access to DIWASS. To ensure that your facility can record the shipment smoothly, the supplier will need a document with the reference number assigned by DIWASS.
One way to handle the process: Your supplier informs you of the planned delivery. You create the Annex VII document in DIWASS on the supplier's behalf and send it to them as a PDF. ZEDAL supports this streamlined process.
Agree the procedure with your partners outside the EU now – before the first shipment is due in January.
Your roadmap to the end of 2026
- 15 Nov 2026The EU makes Annex VII available in DIWASS.
Don't wait: start handling your first shipments electronically alongside the paper documents. - Until 31 Dec 2026ZEDAL helps you prepare, with webinars and guidance on the new digital processes.
- 31 Dec 2026The transition period for paper documents ends.
- From 1 Jan 2027Annex VII must be processed digitally via DIWASS
Practise while paper is still accepted
According to the EU Commission’s current plans, Annex VII will be technically available in DIWASS from mid-November. If you start processing selected shipments electronically alongside the paper documents, you can test your processes early and be ready for 1 January, without having to resolve issues under pressure. This is especially important with interim recovery procedures, where several facilities are involved in sequence and various certificates need to be forwarded. Everyone involved needs to understand their role. In November, there are usually more resources available than at the turn of the year.
And after that: new export rules from 21 May 2027
Green-listed waste may then only be exported to non-OECD countries included in a list drawn up by the Commission. If you currently ship to Asia or North Africa, you should check now how things will continue.
An audit obligation applies from the same day: anyone exporting waste from the EU must prove that the receiving facility in the third country has been independently audited. The audit must not be more than two years old. This applies to every export to a non-EU country, including OECD countries and including Annex VII shipments.
Your five-step checklist for 1 January 2027
- Register in DIWASS: Only registered sites can be selected in DIWASS. This applies to every company and site involved in the shipment.
- Plan ahead: The person arranging the shipment completes the form as far as possible and submits it as advance notice at least two working days before the shipment starts. The quantity, carrier and container number can be added up until the shipment begins.
- Check your contracts: A contract between the person arranging the shipment and the consignee is mandatory for Annex VII shipments. It must be effective no later than when the document is completed. Check your contracts and update them to meet the requirements of the new EU Waste Shipment Regulation.
- Clarify your software and processes: Decide who will create the document and which system will submit it to DIWASS.
- Practise with your partners: Start testing the process from mid-November alongside the paper process. Our webinars will show you how.
Free webinar:
Annex VII goes digital – the complete process, live
In 60 minutes, you will learn what changes, what you need to prepare and how to manage Annex VII shipments with ZEDAL International. We’ll demonstrate the complete process live in the system.
| English | Deutsch | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | Wednesday, 25 November 2026, 10:00 to 11:00 CET | Dienstag, 24. November 2026, 10:00 bis 11:00 Uhr |
| Speaker | Andrew Williams, Sales Manager ZEDAL International | Rolf Niehaus, Vertriebsleiter ZEDAL International |
| Format | Online | Online |
| Cost | free of charge | kostenfrei |
Agenda
- Welcome
- Annex VII: legal framework and timeline
- Prerequisites: DIWASS registration and contracts
- Live demonstration: DIWASS Annex VII with ZEDAL International
- Preview of ZEDAL functions: batch notifications, route planning and assistants
- Questions and answers
Your speaker in the English-language webinar: Andrew Williams
Sales Manager, ZEDAL International
Do you work with business partners in Germany? Let them know about our German-language webinar on 24 November.
Register now for free
Choose your preferred date in the form: 25 November in English or 24 November in German.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation by email. We will send you the link to join and a reminder in good time before the webinar.
Step one: DIWASS registration
From 1 January 2027, only registered sites can be entered in an Annex VII document. For companies based in Germany, ZEDAL takes care of DIWASS registration free of charge if you already use ZEDAL International or decide to use it. The competent authority may charge a processing fee to review and activate your site. This fee is outside of our control.
Companies based in other EU countries must register through their competent national authority.
Practical experience with DIWASS
One in four
ZEDAL was involved in roughly one in four DIWASS notifications approved across the EU (as of 18 Sep 2026).
More than 1,100 sites
More than 1,100 sites across Europe are already connected to DIWASS through ZEDAL.
A familiar interface
You work in ZEDAL, while we transmit to DIWASS and retrieve data from it.
Registration included
For new and existing customers based in Germany, we take care of DIWASS registration free of charge.
Frequently asked questions about Annex VII
-
- What is Annex VII?
-
The Annex VII document contains the required information that must accompany cross-border shipments of non-hazardous, green-listed waste for recovery, in accordance with Annex VII of the EU Waste Shipment Regulation (EU) 2024/1157.
-
- From when must Annex VII be handled digitally in DIWASS?
-
From 1 January 2027. Until 31 December 2026, the paper form may still be used because Annex VII will not be technically available in DIWASS until later. The new Annex VII form must be used and should accompany the shipment.
-
- Do I need consent for Annex VII?
-
No. Annex VII shipments are subject to general information requirements, not a prior notification and consent procedure. However, the document must be complete and available in good time.
-
- What is DIWASS?
-
The Digital Waste Shipment System, the European Commission’s central system for the electronic exchange of documents relating to cross-border waste shipments.
-
- Do I need to register in DIWASS?
-
Yes. Only registered sites can be entered in an Annex VII document. For companies based in Germany, ZEDAL takes care of DIWASS registration free of charge if you already use ZEDAL International or decide to use it. The competent authority may charge a processing fee to review and activate your site. This fee is outside of our control. Companies based in other EU countries must register through their competent national authority.
-
- Do I still need to carry a paper copy?
-
The regulation does not specifically require this. In practice, however, customs offices, roadside inspectors and parties outside the EU will still expect a paper document. To be on the safe side, we recommend carrying a paper copy.
-
- Can I handle Annex VII with ZEDAL?
-
Yes. Once Annex VII is live in DIWASS from 15 November 2026, you can handle the complete process with ZEDAL.
The information on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Information correct as of 5 November 2026.
