Europe no longer wants to send its waste to Morocco
The European Commission is preparing a general ban on waste exports to non-OECD countries. Morocco, which had requested to continue receiving them after May 2027, would be directly affected if the text is adopted.
The cabinet of Stéphane Séjourné, executive vice-president of the European Commission, announced on Friday that it was preparing a delegated act based on the European regulation concerning waste shipments. The text would ban waste exports, particularly aluminium waste, to non-OECD countries, with the exception of certain states seeking to join the European Union, reports Reuters.
Brussels initially considered trade measures limited to aluminium waste. This option was abandoned after internal discussions showed that it would cover only around half of the exports concerned. The Commission therefore chose to work on a broader mechanism, independent of trade instruments.
Morocco’s request called into question
This approach directly threatens the request submitted by Morocco to continue importing certain non-hazardous European waste. The kingdom is among the 24 non-OECD countries that requested authorisation from the European Commission before the 21 February 2025 deadline.
The regime currently planned is to introduce, from 21 May 2027, a general ban on exports of non-hazardous waste to non-OECD countries, except those included on a European list after demonstrating their ability to process it under environmentally sound conditions. The first list must be drawn up no later than 21 November 2026, specifies the European Commission.
If the new delegated act is adopted in the terms announced, this exception would no longer benefit Morocco. The draft must nevertheless be submitted to a public consultation before possible adoption by the end of the year. No new general ban has therefore yet entered into force.