Willkommen bei ERA – Europäische Rechtsakademie

Directive 2008/98/EC on waste adopted in November 2008 foresees a new approach to waste management based on prevention, respect for human health and the environment, and limiting the production of waste, as well as encouraging the use of waste as a resource by recycling and recovery.

The Directive reshuffles the acquis, particularly by creating a waste hierarchy, leading to complex questions in the current transposition process. It aims to introduce waste prevention programmes as a new policy instrument for the Members States. Recycling and recovery of waste are being promoted by targets, separate collection and energy efficiency criteria. The producer responsibility principle has been extended and Member States will have to find ways to transpose this principle, taking into account their national administrative structures and the role played by municipalities.

New definitions of by-products, end-of-waste, recycling and recovery enshrine the ECJ case law and a stronger focus on waste management plans is expected to support a better implementation of waste management law.

The Directive must be implemented before 12 December 2010. The aim of the conference is therefore to bring together stakeholders and practitioners in order to present the innovations of the directive and to organise a European platform for discussion on implementation strategies and a model for transposition in the Members States.