End of waste status

End of waste status (in Spanish, fin de la condición de residuo) defines the point at which a material stops being legally classified as waste and becomes a product. This concept, set out in Article 5 of the EU Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC and transposed in Spain through Law 7/2022, allows certain streams such as metal scrap, recovered glass or recycled paper to circulate in the market without the administrative burden that applies to waste.

Criteria for end of waste status

For a material to be recognised as no longer waste, it must meet four conditions set in the directive: it is intended for a specific use, there is a market or demand for it, it complies with the relevant technical and legal requirements, and its use does not cause adverse environmental or human-health impacts.

In Spain, Order TED/646/2023 sets the criteria for end of waste status of thermoplastic waste treated mechanically and intended for the manufacture of plastic products. Among other requirements, it limits non-plastic content (generally no more than 2%), requires compliance with persistent organic pollutant (POP) limits under Regulation (EU) 2019/1021, and refers to recycled-plastic product standards such as UNE-EN 15342, 15344, 15345, 15346 and 15348.

Procedure and documentation

The process starts with accredited analytical characterisation of the material. The operator then implements a management system that records waste intake, supervises the recovery operation and controls the quality of the output, and issues a declaration of conformity with each shipment of recycled material. Once the criteria are met, the material can be placed on the market as a secondary raw material with a technical data sheet equivalent to that of any industrial product.

Operational and financial advantages

Obtaining end of waste status reduces the costs associated with handling and shipping waste, including documentation, permits and fees, and it can simplify cross-border trade because the material is no longer subject to waste-shipment controls. It also creates new commercial opportunities for recovered materials that would otherwise be discarded.

Risks and good control practices

The main risk is loss of traceability. To mitigate it, operators are advised to run a management system based on ISO 14001, keep a chronological record of batches, and carry out periodic audits to verify that the final product properties match the initial characterisation.

End of waste status: a key instrument for the circular economy

End of waste status is a key instrument for the circular economy because it removes legal barriers and opens new markets for recovered materials. Companies that integrate it can gain logistical, regulatory and reputational advantages. At Manglai we help companies measure environmental impact and document the sustainability performance behind their material decisions. Discover how Manglai can help you.