Summary
Details
- Greece
Binding for waste producers, municipalities, transporters and waste-management companies.
They must:
Classify and store waste correctly.
Participate in EPR schemes where required.
Use authorised carriers and treatment facilities.
Maintain records and submit reporting data.
Implement remediation actions in case of environmental damage.
Exceptions:
Some by-products and reused materials may fall outside the waste definition if criteria are met.
Temporary exemptions exist for certain small-scale activities.
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What’s Required
Law 4042/2012 transposes the EU Waste Framework Directive and introduces rules on hazardous waste, extended producer responsibility, and environmental liability.
Key obligations:
Definitions of waste, by-products, and end-of-waste criteria.
Requirements for separate collection, especially for paper, metal, plastic, and glass.
Framework for hazardous waste identification, storage, and transport.
EPR systems for various product streams.
Obligations for waste producers to keep documentation and deliver waste only to authorised operators.
An environmental liability regime requiring polluters to prevent and remediate damage.
Important Deadlines
Implemented from 2012, with continuous updates.
Timelines for separate collection and EPR expansion have been updated in later laws (e.g., Law 4819/2021).
Current Status
Many provisions have been superseded or strengthened by Law 4819/2021, but Law 4042/2012 remains a foundational legal base, particularly for hazardous waste and environmental liability requirements.
Penalties
Significant administrative fines for improper waste handling.
Criminal sanctions for illegal dumping or hazardous waste offenses.
Liability for environmental damage, including cleanup costs.
Examples of Violations
Illegal landfills and improper hazardous waste storage have been major enforcement issues.
Fines are issued to industries operating without proper waste documentation.
Resources
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