The state of the end of waste: verification of quality systems for waste handlers
Do you want to legally sell your waste as secondary raw material?
We certify waste processors
Obtain independent verification of your quality system and meet the conditions for “End of Waste Status” recognition under current EU and Slovak legislation.
End-of-waste status is a European Union legal instrument that allows a waste processor to reclassify output material as a good and place it on the market without the restrictions applicable to waste. The basic condition is to have a certified quality management system verified by an accredited certification body.
We will carry out verification of quality systems for waste processors in accordance with the applicable EU regulations and issue you with the verification certificate needed to achieve end-of-waste status.
Below you will find all the information you need:
Basic information on waste treatment certification
What is the term End-of-Waste Condition?
Endof Waste (EOL ) is the state that occurs when waste, having undergone a recovery or recycling process, meets the statutory criteria and ceases to be waste as defined by European legislation.
The legal basis is Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste, which has changed the view of waste across the EU – since 2008, waste has been seen as a valuable source of secondary raw materials, not as a burden. Based on this philosophy, the European Commission has issued a series of regulations that define exactly when a particular type of waste reaches end-of-waste status.
For waste processors, this represents a unique business opportunity: they can market the output material from processing as a commodity rather than as waste, thus removing the administrative burden of waste management.
Do you process iron, metals, copper or glass?
Who is the End of Waste certification for?
The certification is intended for all entities that collect, process or trade in waste that meets the criteria of secondary raw material after recovery:
Scrap metal processors
collection yards, scrap yards, metallurgical processing plants (iron, steel, aluminium, copper)
Waste glass processors
Firms working with crushing and sorting of glass.
Secondary raw material traders
Companies that buy and resell treated waste.
Industrial enterprises
Businesses that generate waste as a by-product of production and want to sell it as a secondary raw material.
Benefits of end-of-waste certification for your company
Certified secondary raw material fetches a higher market price than waste.
Many buyers require proof of the end-of-waste status as a condition of cooperation.
The certificate signals to customers the consistent quality of your product.
We approach each client individually and prepare customized solutions according to their needs and project specifications.
You avoid fines and problems with the inspection authorities.
Certification with us will give you the confidence of investors and partners that your projects are being carried out with the highest level of competence.
Legislative framework
Which EU regulations apply to the End-of-Waste status?
The European Union has now issued three main regulations setting out specific criteria for individual commodities. We provide quality management system compliance verification for each of these.
Council Regulation (EU) No 333/2011: Scrap metal - iron, steel and aluminium
The regulation sets out the criteria for when scrap iron, steel and aluminium ceases to be waste. A certified recycler can reclassify scrap metal as secondary raw material and sell it as a normal commodity on the open market.
The regulation defines the requirements for:
- Quality of incoming waste - inspection of incoming material on receipt
- Recovery methods - monitoring of treatment processes and techniques
- The quality of the output scrap - icing parameters of the final product
- Monitoring of radioactivity - mandatory control of each batch
- Documentation and personnel - documented procedures and trained personnel
Commission Regulation (EU) No 715/2013: Scrap copper
The Regulation establishes criteria for determining when scrap copper ceases to be waste. It applies to processors and traders of scrap copper, including companies processing e-waste.
Certification under this Regulation is intended primarily for:
- Processors of scrap metal containing copper
- Processors of waste electrical and electronic waste (WEEE) with copper content
- Copper waste collection companies
- Traders selling scrap copper as raw material
Commission Regulation (EU) No 1179/2012: Crushed glass
The regulation, which entered into force on 10. 12. 2012, establishes criteria for crushed glass (glass granulate).
Thanks to the certification, the glass waste processor can reclassify the crushed glass as a secondary raw material and sell it, for example, to glass manufacturers, the construction industry or other customers.
How to get end-of-waste certification?
What conditions must the waste processor meet?
1) Quality Management System (QMS)
The operator must have a quality management system (QMS) in place and functioning, which demonstrates the consistent and unchanging quality of the output material. The system must include:
- Documented procedures for control of incoming waste
- Monitoring and control of processing processes
- Quality control of the output product
- Continuous improvement measures
- Staff training and competence
2) Verification by an accredited certification body
The entire quality management system must be verified by an independent accredited certification body (e.g. Elbacert). The certification body will carry out an on-site audit and issue a certificate of conformity of the quality management system with the relevant EU regulation once all requirements have been successfully met.
Do you meet these conditions or are you missing any of them? Let us know and we’ll advise you on what you need to do.
Together we can handle the certification without worries
How does the whole End of Waste certification process work?
The certification process with us is transparent and follows clearly defined steps:
1) Interest and consultation
You can contact us via the form or by phone. Together we will assess which EU regulation applies to your activity, what is the scope of the certification and what is your current documentation.
2) Quality system analysis
Our auditor will assess your existing quality management system and identify any deficiencies against the requirements of the regulation. We will recommend the necessary measures to achieve compliance.
3) On-site verification
An accredited auditor will visit your facilities, verify the compliance of your quality management system with the regulation and document the results of the audit.
4) Issuance of the Verification Certificate
After a successful audit, we will issue a certificate of verification of the quality management system with the relevant EU regulation.
5) Surveillance audit and certificate renewal
The certificate has a limited validity, so we will continue to work with you to ensure that your quality system meets all requirements and that the certificate remains valid.
We can help you with certification
Get certified as a waste processor
- the offer is free
- you are not risking anything
- We will advise you professionally
If you process scrap metal, scrap copper or glass waste and want to sell it legally as secondary raw material, we will prepare a free certification offer and advise you on the best solution. Simply fill in the form and we will take care of the rest.
