The digital obligation applies to all actors involved in the transboundary shipment of waste without exception. The obligation applies to the following groups:
1. applicants & producers: notifiers, waste producers and those who arrange the shipment.
2. logistics partners: all carriers and transport companies.
3. disposal management: recipients and the facilities receiving the waste (recipient facilities).
4. public authorities: Competent authorities of dispatch, destination and transit countries.
5. control bodies: authorities involved such as customs or the BALM (formerly FOPH).
There is a clear transitional arrangement for notifications that were authorised before the new digital obligation came into force. Handling depends on the date of confirmation:
Confirmation before 21 May 2026: These notifications remain valid in accordance with Art. 85 (3) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1157. They are subject to the provisions of the previous EC Regulation No. 1013/2006 until they expire.
According to Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 (Annex II), the following documents are mandatory for a legally compliant notification:
Forms: The notification document(Annex IA) and the movement document(Annex IB).
Contract: A valid contract for recovery or disposal between the notifier and the consignee.
Financial security: Proof of a deposit, bank guarantee or appropriate insurance.
Proof of facilities: Licences and environmental certificates of the disposal facility.
Additional documents: Depending on the type of waste, laboratory analyses, route descriptions and proof of identity must be enclosed.
Expert tip: Use digital platforms such as ZEDAL International to create and manage these documents in compliance with the law and submit them directly to the authorities.
The mandatory digitalisation of waste shipments comes into force on 21 May 2026. From this date, all notifications and information on waste shipments (including the "Green List" in accordance with Annex VII) must be transmitted electronically.
DIWASS stands for Digital Waste Shipment System. It is the European Commission's central electronic system that serves as the centrepiece for data exchange.
The most important facts about DIWASS:
Central hub: DIWASS acts as a hub between companies, national authority systems and the EU.
Full coverage: It replaces paper-based documents (Annex IA, IB and VII) with purely digital data sets.
Interoperability: The system enables the connection of external software solutions.
ZEDAL advantage: As a pioneer in digital waste workflows, ZEDAL International is fully compatible with DIWASS. Companies can maintain their usual processes while ZEDAL takes over the seamless and legally compliant transmission to the EU system in the background.
Switching to the leading platform for digital waste management is straightforward. In just five steps, you can get your company ready for the cross-border digital obligation:
1. arrange an online demo: Book a free live demo to familiarise yourself with ZEDAL's functions tailored to your requirements.
2. offer & order: You will receive a customised offer. Once the order has been placed, your system will be prepared immediately.
3. setup & onboarding: We set up your access and provide you with the necessary access data for the portal and the interfaces.
4. team qualification: We prepare your employees for the efficient use of digital workflows through targeted training.
5. go-live: Start creating your first digital notifications and Annex VII documents - legally compliant and completely digital.
Start now: Don't wait until the deadline in May 2026 - secure your head start through digital efficiency today.
The new Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 has tightened the retention periods for documents and information. The duration of the archiving obligation depends on the type of shipment:
Regular case (notifications): All documents must be kept for at least 5 years from the completion of the shipment.
Exception ("Green List"): For waste on the green list in accordance with Annex VII, a shorter period of 3 years applies in some cases.
Start of the period: The period generally starts at the time when the disposal or recovery of the waste has been confirmed by the authorities.
Important note on audit compliance: It is not enough to simply save documents. The documents must be available, legible and unalterable at all times in the event of an inspection.
Yes, ZEDAL International is fully interoperable with DIWASS (Digital Waste Shipment System). The software provides a legally compliant interface that enables seamless data exchange between companies and authorities in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2024/1157.
Yes. From 21 May 2026, digital transmission will be mandatory for shipments on the "Green List" (waste not subject to notification). The previous requirement to carry paper documents in accordance with Annex VII (Annex VII of the Regulation) will be replaced by a purely electronic procedure.
Yes - an early start is not only possible, but is expressly recommended by experts. The switch to mandatory digitalisation is a procedural step that requires preparation.
According to the new Regulation (EU) 2024/1157, an electronic authentication procedure will be mandatory for all parties involved. The details of the specific signature requirement for carriers are still being finalised at EU level.
ZEDAL International is primarily a web-based platform. However, two lean add-ons (plugins) are required for the full range of functions and maximum security:
ZEDAL Forms Plugin: Ensures the correct and legally compliant display and completion of official forms directly in the browser.
TFS Plugin: Enables the legally compliant integration of the electronic signature, which is mandatory for digital waste shipments.
Our team of experts will support you with all technical and specialised questions relating to digital waste shipment. You can reach us at the following times:
Service hours: Working days (Monday to Friday) from 07:00 to 18:00.
Support ticket: Use the telephone receiver symbol directly in the ZEDAL application to open a ticket. This is the quickest way as our team immediately receives all relevant contextual information.
Telephone support: For urgent matters, you can also reach us personally on the phone during service hours.
The switch to digital processes in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 offers far more than just the fulfilment of a legal obligation. Companies benefit from significant efficiency gains:
Accelerated procedures: Standardised digital data formats enable faster approval processes by the competent authorities.
Higher data quality: Automated plausibility checks minimise transmission errors and incorrectly completed forms (Annex IA/IB/VII).
Real-time transparency: Companies and authorities have access to the current status of a shipment at all times, which increases planning reliability.
Cost reduction: The elimination of postal routes, physical archiving and manual document management leads to noticeable time and cost savings.
Sustainability & compliance: Seamless digital traceability strengthens the circular economy and ensures audit-proof documentation of waste streams.
ZEDAL added value: With our platform, you can utilise these benefits immediately. We transform complex legislation into an intuitive, digital workflow that minimises your administrative workload.
