DIWASS - a new waste transport obligation from 2026 - what is already known?
DIWASS is a new system that will become a mandatory part of the operation of waste transport-related companies from 2026. Although mainly background information is currently available, one thing is not in doubt. DIWASS will realistically affect the ability to legally carry out waste transports. Therefore, it is already worth understanding what the system is and what can be expected from it.
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Don't put off your preparations until the last minute. Find out how you can safely prepare your company for DIWASS now.
Justyna Blazewicz-Seredyn
Ewelina Nadolna
What is DIWASS?
DIWASS is a central IT system being developed for the supervision of waste shipments. Its main objective is to organise information on shipments and increase control over waste shipments in Europe. The system is designed to collect data on shippers, documentation and the shipment process itself. This will provide control authorities with a consistent source of information and the market is expected to operate according to uniform rules.
This platform is not being developed as an optional tool. From the outset, it was designed as a mandatory element, directly linked to the legal execution of waste shipments.
From when will the system be compulsory?
The legal basis for the implementation of an electronic waste shipment monitoring system is Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste shipments. This piece of legislation introduces the obligation to digitise and standardise the handling of selected waste transport processes in the EU. DIWASS is the tool that puts this into practice. The timetable for its implementation is already known. What is more, the time for quiet preparations is running out faster than it may seem.
The test phase will start first. In practice, this is the point at which companies first come to grips with the system under real conditions. This is when deficiencies in data, permissions and procedures usually come to light. Then comes the cut-off date, after which improvisation is no longer possible:
- April 2026 - launch of the test phase of the system,
- 21 May 2026. - planned entry into force of the DIWASS obligation.
The closer you get to these deadlines, the greater the risk of queues and nervous decisions. The likelihood of operational problems also increases. It is therefore worth treating signing up to this system as a „now” rather than a „later” topic.
Who is affected by DIWASS?
The obligation to register covers those involved in the organisation and execution of waste shipments. In particular, it concerns:
- waste transporters,
- transport commissioning bodies,
- intermediaries and transport organising companies,
- non-EU companies carrying out waste shipments within a Member State.
The key point here is the role in the transport, not just the fact of vehicle ownership. In practice, DIWASS covers more operators than many businesses assume at first glance.
Why take an interest in DIWASS now?
Although the formal entry into force of the obligation is still several weeks away, experience from the implementation of similar systems shows one thing. The biggest problems arise not on the day of the launch, but just before it. This is when applications, questions and formal errors accumulate. Companies try to salvage the situation at the last minute. As a result, pressure builds up and the margin for error shrinks quickly.
DIWASS will not be just another administrative obligation. It is a system that is intended to operate operationally. It will operate against the backdrop of real transports, roadside checks and the responsibilities of individual operators. A lack of preparation can mean disorganised work. It can also lead to the questioning of a transport or the temporary suspension of operations.
Taking an early interest in DIWASS gives companies a real advantage. It allows you to calmly analyse your role in the waste transport chain. It also makes it easier to prepare data and organise documentation. Just as importantly, it allows you to plan the registration process without time pressure.
DIWASS is a subject that is worth getting used to early on. Not to act blindly, but to avoid the new system becoming a barrier instead of a tool.