Nigeria and 23 other non-OECD countries have requested EU approval to be added to the list of countries eligible for importing non-hazardous waste from the European Union. On Monday, the European Commission stated that Nigeria, along with 23 other non-OECD countries, have applied for inclusion on the list of nations authorized to import non-hazardous waste from the European Union.
The applications are in line with the EU’s newly implemented Waste Shipments Regulation, introduced as part of the European Union’s Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan. The regulation strengthens oversight of waste transportation, covering both exports and imports between EU member states and countries outside the OECD. Beginning in November 2026, the European Union will enforce a complete prohibition on plastic waste exports to non-EU nations.
Non-hazardous waste constitutes 95.6% of all solid waste generated in Europe, comprising municipal waste including packaging, clothing, bottles, and plastics as well as construction demolition materials such as concrete, bricks, stones, and food waste.
Nations seeking authorization to import non-hazardous waste must prove their capability to handle these materials in an environmentally responsible way, maintaining standards equal to or better than those established by the European Union. Applicant countries must provide comprehensive information to the European Commission to evaluate their preparedness for this obligation.
“By that date, 24 requests were received for inclusion on the list of countries eligible to import non-hazardous waste from the EU after 21 May 2027 from Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, El Salvador, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Moldova, Monaco, Morocco, Nigeria, North-Macedonia, Pakistan, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Taiwan1, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Ukraine and Vietnam,” European Commission stated.
The Commission will evaluate applications and finalize an approved list of countries by November 2026. From May 2027, nations not on this list will be banned from importing EU waste. Countries missing the February 2025 deadline can still apply but may not be evaluated before the list is finalized.
METAL WORLD | Congo Halts Cobalt Exports to Stabilize Market Imbalance
