1. 4-okt-15 An overview of the EID’s initiatives, with a focus on transfrontier shipments of waste Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division

2. 4-okt-15 2 The EID is a division within the Department of Environment, Nature and Energy (LNE) Vertical Structure: Head of Division – Robert Baert (Brussels) Central Service (Brussels) Supervision of “Severe Risk” companies Service (Brussels) Local Services (5 provinces) Supplementary horizontal structure: working groups on air, water, soil and groundwater, noise, waste (incl. TFS), genetically modified organisms (gmo), IPPC Environmental Inspectorate Division - organisation HD ANTLIMEFLWFLFBR CS SR

3. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 3 The EID is solely competent for the enforcement of the Flemish environmental health legislation The EID does NOT deal with: the permitting process infringements of the legislation on land use or spatial planning infringements of the legislation on nature/forest/… management police regulations internal security in companies direct intervention in policy making EID – tasks & competences

4. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 4 Municipalities Environmental agencies, e.g. OVAM On food chain safety On severe risk companies Other Belgian regions Judicial authorities Waste shipments EID – Cooperation at national level

5. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 5 First line supervision in the Flemish region: Category 1 facilities: EID Category 2 and 3 facilities: municipalities Current situation: cooperation agreement between the Flemish Region and the municipalities (2008-2013) as an incentive for enforcement by municipal inspectors. EID maintains regular contacts with the municipal inspectors. EID offers the necessary support if requested in the solution of problem cases. Current situ EID – cooperation with municipalities

6. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 6 May 2006: the task of enforcing waste shipments was transferred from OVAM to EID. Enforcement powers on waste shipments: EID: very broad, including all waste related legislation in the Flemish region OVAM: restricted to take-back systems, household waste, ship waste, … Division of tasks: collaboration protocol between EID and OVAM on enforcement tasks, exchange of information, … EID – cooperation with agencies / OVAM

7. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 7 Animal By-Products Committee: established in 2006 to monitor the proper implementation of the agreement on animal by-products. Members: Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain FPS Public Health, Safety of the Food Chain and Environment Flemish Region: OVAM – VLM - EID Walloon Region: DPC – SDS Brussels C. Region: Leefmilieu Brussel EID – cooperation on Food Chain Safety

8. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 8 June 21 st 1999: Cooperation Agreement on the prevention of serious accidents (SEVESO inspections) Inspection teams made up of: Regional environmental inspectorate (EID) FPS Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue (WASO) – Division for the Supervision of Chemical Hazards EID – inspection of severe risk companies

9. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 9 Example of the cross-regional odor problem in Rollegem (Kortrijk – FL) caused by an industrial estate situated in the north of Mouscron in Wallonia (since 2004). EID determined the impact of the odor in Rollegem, and the DPE took targeted actions on the basis of these results. The impact of the odor after remediation was evaluated through an environmental study and sniffing team measurements. EID – cooperation with other Belgian regions

10. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 10 Consultation at the level of the judicial districts at the level of the EID local services: To achieve a more efficient follow-up inspection To provide technical expertise Specific dossiers as well as structured cooperation Judicial trainees: Apprenticeship to prepare an appointment to the magistracy Training at the EID local services to learn about on-site inspections EID – cooperation with the judicial authorities

11. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 11 Subject-matter input on existing or upcoming legislation: feedback from the reality in the field Input on the enforceability of legislation: VLAREM II (2007, 2008, 2011) – update of the Flemish legislation on facilities with environmental permit requirements Implementation of the Mining Waste Directive 2006/21/EC Implementation of the Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC EID – participation in regulatory initiatives

12. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 12 EU Network for the Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law. Established in 1992, registered in Belgium, with its legal seat and secretariat in Brussels. EID participates in: The General Assembly Clusters: o I: Permitting, Inspections & Enforcement o II: Transfrontier Shipment of Waste (TFS) o III: Better regulation EID – International cooperation / IMPEL

13. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 13 INECE: International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Dioxin: International Symposium on Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants MJV: Mutual Joint Visits Programme on Inspections under the Seveso II Directive ECHA (European Chemicals Agency) Forum: coordination of a network of MS authorities responsible for the enforcement of the REACH Regulation EID – International cooperation / other

14. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 14 Overview: (1)The Waste Shipment Regulation (“WSR”) (2)Enforcement in Belgium by competent authorities (“CA”) and other government bodies (3)Cooperation Agreement (“agreement”) (legal) background Members Content + examples Cooperation for Transfrontier Shipments of Waste

15. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 15 Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 on shipments of waste - applicable since 12 July 2007 Most remarkable obligations: Notification for transport of hazardous waste Traceability information on non-hazardous waste Enforcement tasks, art. 50: Inspection of facilities and shipments Bilateral or multilateral cooperation Waste Shipment Regulation

16. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 16 4 competent authorities Flanders: OVAM & EID Wallonia: DSD & DPC Brussels C. Region: Leefmilieu Brussel Belgian Federal State (waste transit): FPS H-SFC-E - & FEI Police: part of its general task, investigation Customs: stop function during import/export Others: Environmental inspectors at municipal level: particular enforcement powers Port captain services: safety in port areas Enforcement of the WSR in Belgium

17. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 17 Jan 1 st 1993: EU common market and fall of customs barriers  surplus of customs officers 1993: 4 th reform of the Belgian State  Competence on import and export is transferred from the federal state to the regions Competence on transit of waste remains at the federal level May 6 th 1994 first WSR no 259/93 applies  for transit of waste, only one competent authority per member state is allowed Cooperation agreement - background

18. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 18 Special law of 08.08.1980, changed by special law of 16.07.1993: governments are compelled to cooperate on the matter of TFS 26.10.1994: cooperation agreement between the Belgian Federal State and the Regions on the coordination of policy regarding import, export and transit of waste signed, but never passed the parliaments transfer of database with notifications to regional level (OK) financial settlement for the ex-customs agents (OK) coordination group for inspections (NOK) First cooperation agreement (1994)

19. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 19 February 2009: broadcast on Belgian national television on the export of WEEE to Africa, mentioning the port of Antwerp as a “turntable” Hearing session in the Environment Committee of the Flemish Parliament  Resolution 2176 of 30.04.2009: Maximum cooperation between enforcers Port authorities should take their responsibility Participation in the INECE SESN … Incentive for an update of the cooperation agreement

20. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 20 2009: negotiations with the following partners: All Belgian competent authorities Police Customs Attorney General Ministry of Justice 2010: adoption of the text by: (extended) Interministerial Conference for the Environment Federal and Flemish government 2011: signatories by all ministers Update of the cooperation agreement (2009-…)

21. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 21 Definition of the parties involved, and their tasks: Police Customs Competent authorities Scope: all inspections on TFS Principle of mutual support Information exchange Employment of ex-customs officers Administrative handling of notifications Formal collaboration with 3rd parties The coordination group and its specific tasks WSR agreement - content

22. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 22 Expertise in training on waste shipment related topics Participation in each other’s technical trainings Set up of an 24/24 phone permanence for advice on and reporting of suspicious waste shipments Mutual technical support Collaboration in the development of supportive materials (guidelines, brochures, …) Physical participation in each other’s inspections WSR agreement – principle of mutual support

23. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 23 Set-up of a database with notifications, accessible for all inspection bodies Principle of free exchange of information, with the exception of data that are part of criminal files: operational information on ad hoc cases information for purpose of analysis Set-up of a unique system for the gathering and analysis of strategic information on illegal waste shipments Joint reporting to the European Commission WSR agreement – information exchange

24. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 24 EID project P654: yearly analysis of customs declarations of waste export. (1)EID receives an extract of all Customs declarations related to waste in the previous year (2)Analysis: list of “suspicious” declarations  for internal use + copy to Judicial Police (3)Inspection of the listed companies by EID (4)Feedback to: Customs: risk based inspection of future declarations Prosecutor: infringements WSR agreement – information exchange / example

25. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 25 Developping procedures for the inspection of shipments, including: execution of competences by different enforcement bodies directing inspections to high risk waste streams Examples: standard reports from Customs to CA procedures for inspection of WEEE at port terminals (in cooperation with port authorities) WSR agreement – tasks of the coordination group / 1

26. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 26 Developping procedures for detection and investigation of illegal shipments e.g. risk-based detection of export shipments at Customs level Developping procedures for prosecution of illegal shipments e.g. in relation to the handling of simultaneous offenses against Customs regulations (non bis in idem) WSR agreement – tasks of the coordination group / 2

27. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 27 Input for regulatory initiatives Discussion on changes of and interpretation of regulations related to TFS enforcement e.g. the continuous update of the annexes of the WSR Discussion on draft regulations on transit of waste e.g. the current update of the Law of 9 July 1984 on the import, export and transit of waste WSR agreement – tasks of the coordination group / 3

28. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 28 Harmonizing the administrative and judicial handling of different degrees of offenses against the WSR. Coordinating the exchange of information e.g. CA’s advice on Customs AOC certificates Discussing the collaboration with third parties WSR agreement – tasks of the coordination group / 4

29. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 29 Members (appointed by their ministers): 4 CA (policy + enforcement) Ministry of Internal Affairs (at least 1 Police) Ministry of Justice Attorney General Customs Operation: At least 4 meetings per year Rotating presidency Internal regulations yet to be drafted WSR agreement – structure of the cooperation group

30. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 30 Waste Project Antwerp: initiative of the office of the public prosecutor in Antwerp integrated approach to the problem of illegal waste export members: public prosecutors of Antwerp and Dendermonde, and all enforcement bodies involved in the inspection of waste shipment in the port of Antwerp Police-OVAM-FEI: regular evaluation of the collaboration on waste transport inspections More national cooperation in the field of TFS

31. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 31 Activities: “on site” inspection projects procedures for inspections, harmonized implementation of the law Base Camp (blog) Organisation: approval of projects’ budget: IMPEL GA Steering committee: working plan, representation National Contact Points yearly conference: open to CA, police, customs, judicial authorities IMPEL – TFS (Cluster II)

32. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 32 Enforcement actions project (2006-2011): transport + company inspections during limited inspection periods (EU-wide) exchange of inspectors with other member states WEEE project (2009-2011): evaluating the enforceability of the WEEE directive, using a tool developed by Cluster III ELV project (2006-2008): harmonizing inspections on the export of End-of-Life- Vehicles Waste Sites project (2011-2012): methods for administrative inspections at waste producing/recycling sites EID participating in IMPEL – TFS projects

33. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 33 INECE (International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement): participation in international conferences member of the Seaport Environmental Security Network since 2010 China and Hong Kong: frequent and standardized information requests on Chinese recycling facilities (application of WSR art. 49.2) visit by Chinese EPA in October 2010 Surrounding member states: ad hoc, on specific cases on the (technical) execution of inspections More international cooperation in the field of TFS

34. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 34 Succes on TFS enforcement depends on: detection of illegal cases administrative & judicial follow-up of illegal cases Detection of illegal shipments depends highly on: good targetting information exchange between CA and other enforcement bodies The results of cooperation on TFS

35. Cooperation on the enforcement of environmental offences by the Environmental Inspectorate Division 4-okt-15 35 Thank you for your attention Bart Palmans Department of Environment, Nature and Energy Environmental inspectorate Service Head Service - Brussels