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Latest developments of the WEG (Waste Expert Group) at the meeting on 6th February 2024

The third meeting of the waste expert group and the first to be held in 2024 provided an opportunity to review the issues at stake and the follow-up to the CIT workshop held on 12 and 13 October in Berne (Please see the article in CIT INFO 2023/3). On this occasion, the CIT presented the developments of the Waste Expert Group (WEG) since the workshop with explanations on the different steps already realized: the study of the current regulations (international, supranational and national), the coordination of all stakeholders and organisations (OTIF, CIT, UIC, CER, Basel Convention Secretariat) and the good organisation of in-depth discussions on the international carriage of waste by rail. 

Since then, the European Commission has also published an important press release on 17 November 2023 on the subject, indicating that developments are underway for simplified digital procedures adapted to the transfer of waste. The CIT also explained in detail the CIT legal products currently under development, namely the traffic irregularity reporting sheet and the information-sheet on the international transport of waste for rail carriers. These two products will be implemented by 1st of July 2024. Adaptations to the CIM consignment note may also be envisaged and were discussed at the last CIM working group on 29 and 30 November 2023. 

The next important steps to consider in 2024, are starting with the CIT International Seminar on Waste By Rail organized on 7th of May 2024 in Geneva in cooperation with the Basel Convention Secretariat.