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Greece Law 4818/2021 (Waste Shipments, Hazardous Waste & Cross-Border Controls)

Greece Law 4818/2021 (Waste Shipments, Hazardous Waste & Cross-Border Controls): Waste Shipment Controls in Greece: Law 4818/2021 Explained

Maílis Carrilho
Written by Maílis Carrilho
Updated on December 15th, 2025

Summary

Greece’s Law 4818/2021 strengthens controls on waste shipments and hazardous waste movements, imposing strict documentation, notification, and traceability obligations. Producers and transporters must ensure compliance with EU and national shipment rules. Enforcement focuses on preventing illegal exports, with severe penalties for violations.

Details

Jurisdictions
  • Greece
Exemptions

Binding for waste producers, brokers, dealers, transporters and exporters.

They must:

Classify waste correctly, including hazardous status.

Obtain prior approvals and submit shipment documentation.

Use authorised carriers and treatment facilities.

Retain records for inspections and audits.

Exceptions:

Certain non-hazardous waste shipments may follow simplified procedures.

Intra-EU movements for recovery may be subject to lighter requirements under EU rules.

Deep dive

1 min read
Updated Dec 15, 2025

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What’s Required

Law 4818/2021 strengthens Greece’s framework for waste shipments, particularly hazardous waste, aligning national rules with EU waste-shipment regulations.

It introduces:

  • Tighter controls on cross-border waste movements.

  • Enhanced documentation and prior-notification requirements.

  • Obligations for waste producers, transporters and exporters to ensure traceability.

  • Stronger inspection powers for authorities at ports, borders and facilities.

  • Measures to prevent illegal waste exports and imports.

Important Deadlines

  • The law entered into force in 2021.

  • Enhanced inspection and reporting rules apply immediately and on an ongoing basis.

Current Status

The law is in force, and enforcement has intensified, especially for waste exports. Greece has prioritised tackling illegal shipments following EU-level scrutiny.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

  • High administrative fines for illegal shipments or false declarations.

  • Seizure and return of illegally shipped waste.

  • Criminal sanctions in serious or repeated cases.

Examples of Known Violations

  • Cases of misdeclared waste exported as recyclable material.

  • Seizures of waste containers at ports due to missing documentation.

Resources


Maílis Carrilho
Added by:
Maílis Carrilho
Sustainability Research Analyst
Maílis Carrilho is a Sustainability Research Analyst (Intern) at Net Zero Compare, contributing research and analysis on climate tech, carbon policies, and sustainable solutions. She supports the team in developing fact-based content and insights to help companies and readers navigate the evolving sustainability landscape.
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Added on Dec 17, 2025 by Maílis Carrilho · Updated on Dec 15, 2025