Box 15B Harmonising waste classification systems

The harmonisation of waste classification systems is crucial for developing comparable waste control systems across European countries. In particular there is a need to harmonise and cross-reference the existing lists of waste which require control under international and regional conventions. Attempts to harmonise definitions and establish an international waste classification system are currently being undertaken by international organisations as summarised in this box.

The International Waste Identification Code

Developed by the OECD in 1988, the International Waste Identification Code (IWIC) (OECD Council Decision C(88)90 Final) provides a uniform classification system to describe waste considered to be hazardous. Six tables are used, each describing waste from a different approach, as follows:

  1. the reasons why the material is intended for disposal;
  2. disposal operations;
  3. generic types of potentially hazardous wastes;
  4. their constituents;
  5. the hazardous characteristics;
  6. the activities generating them.

The IWIC provides a coded list for each of these tables which together allow a 'cradle-to-grave' dossier to be produced. In this way, any batch of wastes undergoing transfrontier movement can be described.

The core list of hazardous waste

During the last decade, the emergence of international agreements on controlling the transfrontier movement of hazardous waste prompted national governments to recognise the need for a common list of waste, specifying the characteristics which make them hazardous. A core list of 17 generic waste types and 27 constituents was adopted by OECD countries in 1988. The 45 categories of waste to be controlled by the Basle Convention (1989) on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal correspond to a large extent to the OECD core list.

Green, amber and red lists

OECD countries have also adopted a classification system for waste destined for recovery operations. This distinguishes wastes in terms of the 'green', 'amber' and 'red' lists, depending on the level of control which applies for their transfrontier movement. These lists have been introduced into EC Council Regulation 93/259/EEC on the supervision and control of shipments of waste.

The European waste catalogue

The initiative to create a general nomenclature for waste has been undertaken by the European Commission to develop a European Waste Catalogue (EWC). The EWC has been developed and approved (EC Decision 94/3/EC) in compliance with EC Council Directive on waste 75/442/EEC as amended by EC Directive 91/156/EEC (Framework Directive), which requires a common reference list of waste to be established across the EU Member States. Its implementation will provide a common basis for cross-referencing national lists, and facilitate the implementation of EU waste management policies. The catalogue is not meant to replace national classification schemes nor to follow strictly a single approach. Instead it should allow EU Member States to harmonise waste control systems and reporting on waste. The system classifies waste according to sources, processes and waste streams, providing the basis for producing comparable and compatible statistics on waste in EU Member States. The EU and UNECE are cooperating towards extending the catalogue to all European countries.