Get ready for changes in waste management rules

From January 2025, significant changes are coming to the Waste Catalogue – new sub-categories of waste with eight-digit catalogue numbers are being introduced. Although Decree No. 8/2021 Coll. has been in force since 2024, this year serves as a transitional period during which waste is still classified only according to the main types. However, the new sub-category system will be mandatory from next year for some specific purposes, which we look at below.

What does this mean for you?

From 1 January 2025, some waste will be classified under eight-digit sub-category numbers. However, for Group 20 (municipal waste) their classification remains optional – this applies for example to composite and beverage cartons (20 01 01 01). Waste will be assigned to Group 20 if the generator chooses to separate the waste.

Sub-categories will mainly be used for:

• Ongoing record-keeping and waste reporting,
• basic description of the waste and assessment of its characteristics,
• certification and reporting under EU Regulation 2017/852,
• permitting the operation of waste management facilities.

For other purposes, the key remains the affiliation of the waste to the main types.

How will it be in practice?

Correct classification of waste requires following the structure of the Catalogue:

1. Find the corresponding waste group according to the sector or process in which it was generated.
2. Select a subgroup and choose the most accurate waste designation.
3. If you do not find a suitable number in groups 01-12 and 17-20, continue your search in groups 13, 14 and 15. If you don’t find a matching number here either, look in group 16.
4. If nothing fits, use a number ending in 99 and add the technical or common name of the waste.

From 2025, some waste will be classified directly under eight-digit sub-category numbers.

Below is an overview of all changes concerning the sub-categories of waste.

If you operate a waste management facility, you can still work with the main types of waste in 2024. However, from 2025 you will need to amend your permit from the regional authority to include sub-categories. If you only have a sub-category in your permit, the main type is not automatically included. On the other hand, if you have the main types listed, you can also take the corresponding sub-categories.

For example, municipal waste can only be classified in Group 20. Mixed municipal waste (20 03 01) includes only residual waste that cannot be classified elsewhere in this group.

What next?

The new Waste Catalogue will bring clearer rules and greater clarity to waste management. With us, you can easily prepare for these changes – we will help you with the transition, the correct classification of waste and the preparation of all necessary documents.

Questions or unsure how to adapt to the new rules? Please contact us! We are here to make your work easier.

Waste records: Clearly and according to the new rules

With the year 2025, there are changes coming that will affect the recording and reporting of waste. The new registration codes and the mandatory classification of waste sub-categories bring clearer rules but also new challenges. What is changing?

As of 1 January 2025, continuous waste records must be kept in compliance with the new regulation set out in Decree No. 273/2021 Coll., Section 26, on the details of waste management. For better clarity, a mandatory format of registration is introduced according to Annex 13 of this Decree.

Beyond the data in Annex 13, what will the register contain?

• Date and number of entry in the register.
• Name and surname of the person responsible for keeping the records.

You make an entry in the register in the following cases:

• When filling a waste collection device (e.g. a central container, not an ordinary bin)
• When handing over or taking over the waste.
• Once a month for the regular municipal waste collection.
• When exporting waste in cross-border shipments.
• Year-end balances to be recorded as of 31 December.

Continuous records must be kept to enable reporting under Section 27 of Decree No. 273/2021.

Waste records

The year 2025 will therefore also bring changes in the annual waste reporting. If you have handled more than 600 kg of hazardous waste or 100 tonnes of other waste in the past year, you must submit an annual report by 28 February.

What will the report contain?

• Aggregate data from the interim records for the past year.
• Specification of each establishment you are reporting.

You will file your first annual return under the new regulations for the year 2025, in 2026.

How to do that?

Changes in waste registration and reporting bring clearer rules, but they can also raise questions.
With us you will not get lost in the news!

We will help you:

• Prepare for new responsibilities.
• Keep an up-to-date record according to the current rules.
• Correctly submit the annual report.

Do you have any questions? Contact us – we are here for you!