The Bureau of International Recycling's Paper Division has asked for at least a six-month postponement of the EU's Digital Waste Shipment System (DIWASS) for recovered paper, which becomes mandatory on 31 December 2026. Speakers at the BIR World Recycling Convention in Malaga on 27 October 2026 said only tens of more than 1,000 Asian paper mills had registered. They warned that Europe could lose outlets for the 6-8 million tonnes of surplus recovered paper it exports each year. No postponement has been agreed; the calls were industry requests.
Why this mattersA registration shortfall could strand millions of tonnes of EU recovered paper, pressuring prices and the economics of municipal collection and sorting.
- DIWASS went live on 21 May 2026 and becomes mandatory for recovered paper shipments to, from and through the EU on 31 December 2026.
- BIR's Paper Division said only tens of more than 1,000 Asian paper plants had registered as of the Malaga convention on 27 October 2026.
- Europe exports 6-8 million tonnes of surplus recovered paper a year, mainly to Asia.
- A separate requirement from 21 May 2027 will require overseas receiving plants to be audited to equivalent European standards.
- Industry speakers cited India, Thailand and Malaysia as destinations with low buyer awareness of the new system.
- No regulatory postponement has been agreed; the calls were industry requests made at the convention.
The Bureau of International Recycling's Q3 2026 European report finds recovered paper prices steady or slightly higher in Germany, France, Italy and the UK, driven by scarce collected fibre rather than stronger demand. European paper and board output fell about 1.6% in 2025 with early 2026 data still showing a year-on-year contraction. Spain diverges, with recovered corrugated prices under pressure from rising imports and ample supply despite higher domestic consumption.
Why this mattersA price rise built on fibre scarcity rather than demand recovery leaves mills exposed if collection volumes normalise in the fourth quarter.
- BIR's Q3 2026 European report was compiled by John Atehortua of REMONDIS Trade and Sales.
- Recovered corrugated (OCC) prices rose notably in September, led by UK export demand and low collection volumes.
- European paper and board production fell about 1.6% in 2025, with early 2026 indicators still showing year-on-year contraction.
- Spanish corrugated grade 1.05 average prices rose from EUR 73.17-73.62 per tonne in Q1 2026 to EUR 81.45-82.18 per tonne in Q2 2026, per Universidad Complutense de Madrid/RECIPAP data.
- Spain's recovered corrugated market remains under pressure from rising imports and abundant supply despite growing domestic consumption.
- BIR flags upcoming 2027 regulatory changes affecting waste trade as a factor operators must prepare for.
The European Commission is preparing a delegated act to further restrict exports of recycled materials to non-OECD countries, according to a statement from Commissioner Stephane Sejourne's cabinet reported by the Bureau of International Recycling. The move follows the Commission's decision to drop a planned aluminium-scrap-specific export restriction, and a public consultation is expected before adoption envisaged by end-2026. The scope of waste streams, destinations and any exceptions is not yet defined.
Why this mattersTighter export limits on recycled feedstock would affect availability and pricing of recycled content for packaging producers required to meet EU recycled-content mandates.
- A delegated act under the EU Waste Shipment Regulation would further restrict exports of recycled materials to non-OECD countries.
- The Commission dropped a planned aluminium-scrap-specific export restriction earlier in the week of 14 September 2026.
- A public consultation is expected ahead of adoption, envisaged by the end of 2026.
- The revised Waste Shipment Regulation, in force since May 2024, already bars non-hazardous waste exports to non-OECD countries from 21 May 2027 unless the destination is authorised.
- The first list of authorised non-OECD destination countries is due by 21 November 2026.
- Details of targeted waste streams, destinations, exceptions and application date are not yet public, per BIR.
