Author: THOMASB
Last saved by: Nalini Basavaraj
Company: unog

2a National definition of waste
UN Region:	 Africa
Algeria
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Algeria. 
Any residue of a process of transformation or using or in general any substance or product and
any personal estate that the property or the holder wants to get rid of or eliminate.
Botswana
2002	There is no national definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste in Botswana. 
Cameroon
2002	There is no national definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste in Cameroon. 
Egypt
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Egypt. 

“Wastes” are substances or objects which are disposed of or are intended to be disposed of or 
are required to be disposed of by the provisions of National Law.
Ethiopia
2002	There is no national definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste in Ethiopia. 

Remark: Though there is no distinct definition of waste, the term Hazardous Waste (as 
indicated under section 2b) is defined broadly in such a way that ordinary waste (Ex- Municipal
waste or solid waste ) is incorporated.
Gambia
2002	The national definition of waste to be used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste is being prepared.

The Environmental Protection, Prevention of Dumping Act of 1988 which makes provisions 
for the prevention of dumping of industrial wastes, defines wastes as "Any form of industrial 
waste product or matter, whether known to be hazardous to human health or the natural 
environment". However, due to technical reasons related to its implementation this Act will be 
replaced upon enactment of the Waste Act referred above.

The National Environment Management Act (NEMA) 1994 defines wastes as: "Waste includes 
any matter, whether liquid, solid, gaseous, or radioactive, which is discharged, emitted, or 
deposited in the environment in such volume, composition or manner likely to adversely affect 
the environment".
Kenya
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Kenya. 

Madagascar
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Madagascar. 

“Projet de definition”: In general, waste could be defined as all residues resulting from 
production process, transformation or use, or any substance, materials, products or more 
generally, any material or item which has been abandoned by its owner, either because its 
economic value is too small, or because it is low in quantity to justify an investment. In 
summary, it is an item, product or by-product which cannot be utilized for different reasons.
Mali
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Mali. 

Loi N° 01-020 relating to pollution and the harmful effects.

Waste:  Any solid, liquid substance, gas, or residue of a production process, of transformation 
or use of  all other eliminated or intended substances has to be eliminated.
Morocco
2002	The national definition of waste to be used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste is being prepared.

The Draft Law on Waste Management and their Disposal foresees a list of hazardous wastes, 
the importation of which will be banned. The Draft Law defines "wastes" at national level, as 
residues coming from the production process, from transformation or from utilization, all 
substances, materials, products or more generally abandoned goods, meant to be discarded, or 
disposed of with the aim of protecting the environment and the people.
Mozambique
2002	There is no national definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste in Mozambique. 
Niger
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Niger. 

Law No. 98-56 of 29 December 1998 is a framework Law related to the environmental 
management and;
Ordinance No. 93-13 of 2 March 1993, which establishes a code of public hygiene.
Seychelles
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Seychelles. 

According to the Environment Protection Act 1994, "wastes" means garbage, refuse, sludges, 
construction debris and other discarded substances resulting from industrial and commercial 
operations or from domestic, individual and community activity.

South Africa
2002    National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in South Africa. 

The Environment Conservation Act, (Act no. 73 of 1989) defines waste as any matter, whether
gaseous, liquid or solid or any combination thereof, which is from time to time designated by 
the Minister by notice in the Gazette as undesirable or superfluous by-product, emission, 
residue or reminder of any process or activity.
Tanzania (United Republic of)
2002	There is no national definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste in Tanzania (United Republic of). 
Tunisia
2002	There is no national definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste in Tunisia. 
Zambia
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Zambia. 

According to the Environmental Protection and Pollution Control Act (EPPCA) of 1990, 
amended in 1999, "waste" means garbage, refuse, sludges and other discarded substances 
resulting from industrial and commercial operations and from domestic and community 
activities, intended to be disposed of, or are disposed of or are required to be disposed of, but 
does not include waste water as defined in Part IV of the Act.
UN Region:	 Asia and Pacific
Azerbaijan
2002	The national definition of waste to be used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste is being prepared.
Bahrain
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Bahrain. 

The definition is in accordance with the Basel Convention.
Bangladesh
2002	There is no national definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste in Bangladesh. 

The definition of "waste" as mentioned in Environmental Conservation Act (ECA) 1995 is as 
follows: "Waste" means any solid, liquid, gasesous, radioactive substance or the discharge, 
disposal and dumping of which may cause harmful change to the environment.

Cambodia
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Cambodia. 

Solid Waste is defined as any hard objects, hard substances, products or refuse which are 
useless, disposed of, are intended to be disposed of, or are required to be disposed of.

Household waste is the part of solid waste which does not contain toxic or hazardous 
substance and is discarded from dwellings, public building, factories, market, hotel, business 
building, restaurant, transport facilities, recreation site, ...etc.
Cyprus
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Cyprus. 

The House of Representative passed the new Law on Solid and Hazardous Waste management 
on December 12, 2002. Within the new Law there is a definition of waste used for the purpose 
of transboundary movements of waste and it is in accordance with the provisions of the Basel 
Convention.
Indonesia
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Indonesia. 

Act No. 23/97 regarding Environmental Management and Governmental Regulation Number 
18/1999 and juncto Governmental Regulation Number 85/1999 regarding hazardous waste 
management define waste as the residue of a business and/ or activity.
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Iran (Islamic Republic of). 

The national definition of waste in Iran is in accordance with Article 2, paragraph 1 of the Basel
 Convention.
Japan
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Japan. 

The Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law (Waste Management Law), enacted in 1970,
has various provisions on waste from its generation to final disposal. In the Waste 
Management Law, "waste" refers to refuse, bulky refuse, ashes, sludge, excreta, waste oil, 
waste acid and alkali, carcasses and other filthy and unnecessary matter, which are in solid or 
liquid state (excluding radioactive waste and waste polluted by radioactivity).
Jordan
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Jordan. 

Any material which cannot be disposed of at the public garbage dump sites or drainage network
due to its hazardous characteristics, harmful impact on the environment and the safety of the 
organism and which require special means for handling and disposing of, same as are specified 
in table No.3 which is annexed to Regulation No. 43/1999.

Malaysia
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Malaysia. 

Waste is defined as any matter prescribed to be scheduled waste or any matter whether in a 
solid, semi-solid or liquid form, or in the form of a gas or vapor, which is emitted, discharged 
or deposited in the environment in such volume, composition or manner as to cause pollution.
Micronesia (Federated States of)
2002	There is no national definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste in Micronesia (Federated States of). 
Philippines
2002	There is no national definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste in Philippines. 

Under Department administrative Orders DAO 92-29, the term "waste" is not specifically defined. 
Qatar
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Qatar. 

The national definition of hazardous waste is in accordance with the Basel Convention.
Republic of Korea
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Republic of Korea. 

Article 2.1 of the "Act Relating to Transboundary Movement of Wastes and Their Disposal" 
defines "waste" subject to transboundary movement control as the substance or object listed in 
Annexes to Basel Convention and the substance to be controlled in accordance with bilateral, 
multilateral and regional agreements pursuant to the Article 11 of the Basel Convention.
Singapore
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Singapore. 

Under the Hazardous Waste (control of export, import and transit) Act (HWA) "waste" means a
substance or object that is proposed to be disposed of; disposed of;  or required by any written
law to be disposed of.
Sri Lanka
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Sri Lanka. 

Waste includes any matter prescribed to be waste and any matter, whether liquid, solid, 
gaseous or radioactive which is discharged, emitted, or deposited in the environment in such 
volume, constituency or manner as to cause alternation of the environment.
Thailand
2002	There is no national definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste in Thailand. 

Uzbekistan
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Uzbekistan. 

Waste is the rest of raw materials, articles, which were generated during the production of 
goods, energy, implementation of works (services) and lost initial consumer characteristics 
completely or partly (waste of production) and articles and materials, which lost their 
consumer characteristics as a result of their physical depreciation and obsolescence (waste of 
consumption). (Document 118.0027714.60-97: Nature protection)
Viet Nam
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Viet Nam. 

Wastes are substances which are disposed of from households, from production process or 
from other activities. Wastes can be in form of solid, liquid, gas or in other forms.
UN Region:	 Western Europe and Others
Andorra
2002	There is no national definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste in Andorra. 

There is no definition of waste specifically related to the transboundary movements of waste. 
However, the following points can be highlighted:

a) The current definition of solid waste. Article 3 of the Law on Solid Wastes of 31/07/1985 
defines solid waste as" those (wastes) resulting from public, industrial, commercial or 
agricultural activities, and which are not in gazeous or liquid form." Definition is followed by a 
non-exhaustive and a broad list of substances that covers urban solid wastes, industrial wastes 
and agricultural wastes.

b) The direct integration of international treaties in the national legislative framework. 
According to article 3.3 of the Constitution,"treaties and international agreements take effect in 
the legal system from the moment of their publication in the Butlletí Oficial del Principat 
d’Andorra and cannot be amended or repealed by the law." Therefore, it means that, in the 
absence of a definition covering all types of wastes, the definition in the Basel Convention is in 
force in Andorra.

c) The draft Law on Wastes (it will enter into force in 2004). The Department of the 
Environment is currently finalizing the draft of the future Law on Waste, which will be a 
framework law defining the legal regime of wastes in Andorra. As currently drafted, it defines 
Waste as" any substance or object whose possessor abandons, has the intention to abandon, or 
has the obligation to abandon. In any case, due account will be taken of those wastes that are 
included in the European Catalogue of Wastes and in the Annex I of the Basel Convention."

d) The Agreement between Andorra and Spain concerning the transboundary movements of 
wastes. Article 2 defines which wastes are subject to the agreement and these wastes are: 
Wastes included in Annex II of the European Council Regulation 259/93/CEE, of 01/02/1993 
amended by the Decision of the European Commission 98/368/CEE, dated 18/05/1998; Wastes 
included in Annex III of the European Council Regulation 259/93/CEE, of 01/02/1993 amended 
by the Decision of the European Commission 98/368/CEE, dated 18/05/1998; Expired and 
non-expired medicines; Construction wastes; Frigidaires; and Killed animals for sanitary 
reasons or dead by natural causes.

Article 3 states that, on the Spanish side, all imports of waste will be realized in complete 
conformity with the European Union rules defined in the Regulation 259/93/CEE.
Australia
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Australia. 

Waste means a substance or object that:
	is proposed to be disposed of; or
	is disposed ; or 
	is required by a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory to be disposed of.
Austria
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Austria. 

Definition of waste is in line with EU Regulation 74/442/EEC (Article 1). For the purposes of 
this Directive: (a) "waste" means any substance or object which the holder disposes of or is 
required to dispose of pursuant to the provisions of national law in force; (1)OJ No C 32, 
11.2.1975, p. 36. (2)OJ No C 16, 23.1.1975, p. 12. (3)OJ No C 112, 20.12.1973, p. 3.

The national definition is laid down in article 2 of the Act on sustainable Waste Management 
(Federal Waste Management Act 2002), Fed. Law. Gaz. I 2002/102.The text can be obtained 
via Internet: http://lebensministerium.at using the links: "Umwelt", "Abfall", "Abfallrecht", "AWG
 2002."

A draft English translation is available via the focal point.
Belgium
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Belgium. 

In Belgium the definition of waste and hazardous waste is in accordance with the European 
Law. With regard to transboundary movements of wastes the Council Regulation (EEC) N° 
259/93 is applied.
Canada
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Canada. 

In Canada, each province and territory defines wastes for the purpose of transboundary 
movements.  These definitions include requirements for both disposal and recycling.  
Information regarding definitions for each province and territory can be found at 
http://www.ec.gc.ca/tmb/eng/links_e.html

The Government of Canada is undertaking domestic consultations to develop regulations for  
international movements of prescribed non-hazardous wastes. The final definition of prescribed
 non-hazardous wastes will likely include a listing of wastes covered by the proposed 
regulations. Consistent with international definitions, the initial focus is on municipal solid 
wastes, including household or residential waste, as well as residues from the incineration of 
municipal solid waste.

Denmark
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Denmark. 
According to EU directive 75/442/EEC article 1 (a): waste shall mean any substance or object 
in the categories set out in Annex I which the holder discards or intends or is required to discard.
Finland
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Finland. 

According to Section 3 of the Finnish Waste Act (1072/1993) “Waste shall mean any substance
or object which the holder discards, intends, or is required, to discard.” This definition is 
identical to the definition of waste in the Council Directive of the European Communities on 
waste (75/442/EEC, as amended by Council Directive 91/156/EEC).

France
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in France. 

"Waste" shall mean any substance or object in the categories set out in annex I of the Directive 
CEE 75/442 from 15 July 1975, as modified, which the holder discards or intends or is 
required to discard.
Germany
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Germany. 

In Germany the provisions of the Council Regulation (EEC) No. 259/93 of 1 February 1993 on 
the supervision and control of shipments of waste within, into and out of the EC (EC Waste 
Movement Regulation) apply. 

Concerning the definition of waste the regulation refers to the Waste Framework Directive 
(75/442/EEC) as amended. Article 1(a) reads: "'waste' shall mean any substance or object in the
 categories set out in Annex I which the holder discards or intends or is required to discard." 

Annex I - Categories of waste: 
Q1 Production or consumption residues not otherwise specified below
Q2 Off-specification products
Q3 Products whose date for appropriate use has expired
Q4 Materials spilled, lost or having undergone other mishap, including any materials, 
	equipment, etc., contaminated as a result of the mishap
Q5 Materials contaminated or soiled as a result of planned actions (e.g. residues from cleaning 
operations, packing materials, containers, etc.) 
Q6 Unusable parts (e.g. reject batteries, exhausted catalysts, etc.) 
Q7 Substances which no longer perform satisfactorily (e.g. contaminated acids, contaminated 
solvents, exhausted tempering salts, etc.)
Q8 Residues of industrial processes (e.g. slags, still bottoms, etc.)
Q9 Residues from pollution abatement processes (e.g. scrubber sludges, baghouse dusts, spent
 filters, etc.)
Q10	 Machining/finishing residues (e.g. lathe turnings, mill scales, etc.
Q11 Residues from raw materials extraction and processing (e.g. mining residues, oil field 
slops, etc.)
Q12 Adulterated materials (e.g. oils contaminated with PCBs, etc.)
Q13 Any materials, substances or products whose use has been banned by law
Q14 Products for which the holder has no further use (e.g. agricultural, household, office, 
commercial and shop discards, etc.)
Q15 Contaminated materials, substances or products resulting from remedial action with 
respect to land
Q16 Any materials, substances or products which are not contained in the above categories.
Iceland
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Iceland. 

According to regulation No. 805/1999, on waste, wastes are substances or objects, which 
individuals or legal entities decide to or are required to dispose of in a certain manner, cf. Annex
 I to regulation no. 184/2002 on a list of hazardous wastes and other wastes.

Israel
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Israel. 

Materials should be discarded in compliance with the decisions of the General Director of the 
Ministry of the Environment.
Italy
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Italy. 

The national definition of waste is in accordance with the Legislative Decree No. 22/97 and 
Council Regulation (EEC) No. 259/93 adopted from Council Directive 75/442/EEC on Waste.
Luxembourg
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Luxembourg. 

The definition of waste is in accordance with the directive 75/442/EEC.
Monaco
2002	There is no national definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste in Monaco. 
Netherlands
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Netherlands. 

The Netherlands uses the EC definition of waste as described in EC Directive 75/442, Article 1.
New Zealand
2002	There is no national definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste in New Zealand. 

New Zealand uses the Basel Convention definition of waste for the purposes of transboundary 
movements. The draft New Zealand Definition of Hazardous Waste will be used in the 
consideration of Basel/Waigaini/OECD import and export Consent Notifications but otherwise 
Basel definitions continue to apply. The draft definition can be accessed at 
www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/waste.
Norway
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Norway. 

Pollution control act, chapter 5 § 27: 
Waste means discarded objects of personal property or substances. Surplus objects and 
substances from service industries, manufacturing industries and treatment plants etc, are also 
considered to be waste. Waste water and exhaust gases are not considered to be waste.
Spain
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Spain. 

According to the Act 10/1998 on Wastes, Article 3, Definitions, “wastes” are those substances 
or objects falling under any of the categories referred to in the annex to the present Act, which 
the holder discards, has the intention or is required to discard. In any case, substances or 
objects (which fulfil the above condition) and listed in the European Waste Catalogue approved 
by the Community institutions should always be considered as wastes.  (For categories of 
wastes appearing in the annex to the Act, see annex II to the questionnaire) (The version in 
force of the European Waste Catalogue/List has been adopted by Decision 2000/532/EC of the 
Commission of European Communities of 3rd May 2000, amended by Decisions of the 
Commission 2001/118/EC of 16th January 2001, 2001/119 of 22nd January 2001, and 
Decision of the Council 2001/573 of 23rd July 2001. The European Waste List has been 
published in the Spanish Oficial Gazette of 19th February 2002 by Orden MAM/304/2002).
Sweden
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Sweden. 

Waste means any substance or object in the categories set out in a list of waste categories 
which the holder discards or intends to or is required to discard. For the purpose of 
transboundary movements of waste EU regulation 259/93 on the supervision and control of 
shipments of waste within, into and out of the European Community defined what waste should be controlled.
Switzerland
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Switzerland. 

For transboundary movements the national waste definition is used (Federal Law relating to the 
Protection of the Environment; Art. 7 Para 6), which is compatible with the waste Definition of
the Basel Convention.

"Wastes mean all moveable materials of which the owner rids himself or disposal of which is 
necessary in the public interest."
Turkey
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Turkey. 

According to the Turkish Environment Law, official paper of 11 August 1983 (No. 18132), 
waste is harmful substances discharged into or dumping in the environment as a result of any activity.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 

‘Waste’, including wastes subject to transboundary movements, is defined in Article 1(a) of the
 EC Framework Directive on Waste (Council Directive 75/442/EEC as amended by 91/156/EEC
 and Council Decision 96/350/EEC). Article 1(a) provides that ‘waste’ shall mean any 
substance or object in the categories set out in Annex I [to the Directive] which the holder 
discards or intends or is required to discard.
UN Region:	 Central and Eastern Europe
Albania
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Albania. 

"Waste" is generated from economic and social activities, and physical products which are not 
hazardous wastes, according to the Council of Ministers, Decision No. 26 1/31/1994 on 
"Residues and Hazardous Wastes".
Armenia
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Armenia. 

National definition of wastes (industrial and household) is given in Draft “Law on Wastes” (Part
 one, article 4 “Definition”).
1) industrial and household wastes /hereinafter - wastes/ - wastes arising in the process of 
industrial or household consumption of raw materials, compounds, products and by-products, 
other production or food processing remains, as well as manufactured goods/produce that lost 
the initial consumer properties;
17) waste transboundary movement – transportation of wastes from the area of a country to 
the area of another country or ever some area that is out of jurisdiction of any country, on 
condition that such transportation of wastes relates to benefits of at least two countries.
Belarus
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Belarus. 

Wastes are substances or goods produced in the process of economic activity or life of man 
that do not have any certain application at site of their generation or that have lost totally or 
partially their consumer properties due to physical or moral obsolescence.
Bosnia & Herzegovina
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Bosnia & Herzegovina. 

"Waste" means any substance or object which the holder discards or intends or is required to 
discard, belongs to one of the categories in Annex I and appears in the list of wastes adopted in
 a separate legal regulation.

Bulgaria
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Bulgaria. 

"Waste" shall be a substance, object or part thereof without preliminary immediate application 
or which its owner wishes to or must relieve of. The substances, objects or part of objects, 
submitted by the owner or by a person authorized by the owner to the specialized waste 
treatment companies, shall also be defined as "waste" until such time, when the materials 
restored there from or the energy produced thereby shall become included in the production process.
Croatia
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Croatia. 

The national definition of waste is in accordance with Article 2 of the Law on Waste, Official 
Gazette, No. 34/95. Pursuant to this Law, waste means substances and objects that a legal, or a
 physical person has discarded, or has disposed of, or intends to, or must dispose of them.
Estonia
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Estonia. 

Waste shall mean any movable which the holder has discarded or intends or is required to discard.
Georgia
2002	The national definition of waste to be used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste is being prepared.

Law of Georgia on Transit and Import of Waste into and out of the Territory of Georgia (16th 
of October 1997).
Hungary
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Hungary. 

Waste shall mean any substance or object in the categories set out in Annex 1 to Act XLIII of 
2000 which the holder discards or intends or is required to discard. (The Annex 1 to Act XLIII
 of 2000 is available in the Country Fact Sheet (Hungary) prepared by the Secretariat)
Latvia
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Latvia. 

"Waste - any object or substance which holder disposes of, or intends to or is forced to 
dispose of, and which conforms to the categories specified in the waste classification." (Waste 
Management Law, Art.1.1)

Lithuania
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Lithuania. 

Waste shall mean any substances or objects in the categories set out in Annex I and is included 
into the waste list as per Annex II of the Waste Management Regulations (Minister’s Ordinance
 No. 217, of 14 July, 1999, amended by Minister’s Ordinance No. 284 of 23 May, 2001; 
Minister’s Ordinance No. 532 of 10 October, 2002), which the holder discards or intends to or
 required to discard. The categories and list of waste are prepared in accordance with the 
European List of Wastes.
Poland
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Poland. 

In the light of the Act on Waste of 27 April 2001 (O.J. of 2 June 2001, No.62, Item 628 as 
amended, came into force in October 2001) "waste" shall mean any substance or object in one 
of the categories listed in Annex I to this Act with the holder thereof discards or intends or is 
required to discard.
Republic of Moldova
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Republic of Moldova. 

Waste - are substances, materials or objects from Statistical classificatory of waste, which the 
holder or producer discards or intends or required to discard disposed through disposal.
Romania
2002	There is no national definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste in Romania. 

In Romania there is no national definition of waste used specially for the purposes of 
transboundary movements. The definition of waste from the Emergency Ordinance 78/2000 
for the Waste Regime approved by the Law 426/2001 and is generally based on the relevant 
definitions of the Basel Convention and the pertinent EU Directives. A definition of wastes and 
residues is contained in the Government Decision dealing with import of wastes of every 
description. This covers any materials having no value for use, and household wastes.
Russian Federation
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Russian Federation. 

"Production and consumption waste" is the remains of raw materials, materials, semi-finished 
products, other articles or products that have been formed in the process of production or 
consumption as well as the goods (products) that have lost their consumer properties."

Serbia and Montenegro
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Serbia and Montenegro. 

The definition of waste and hazardous waste used for the purpose of transboundary 
movements are given in the Rule on Import, Export and Transit of Wastes in the FR of 
Yugoslavia (1999), based on the Law on the Basis of the Environmental Protection. 

There are two National lists of wastes with national label/code, harmonized with BC annexes 
and EU / OECD lists, with a few additions. These are (i) List of Hazardous wastes, and (ii) List
 of non-hazardous wastes (not exhibiting hazardous characteristics). The wastes from both 
lists are subject to transboundary movement permission and control.
Slovakia
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Slovakia. 
According to a new Act No. 223/2001 Coll. of Laws on Waste and on Amendment of Certain 
Acts a waste shall mean a movable thing specified in Annex 1, which the holder discards, or 
wishes to discard, or is obliged to discard pursuant to the Act or special regulations (For 
instance, the Act of the National Council of the Slovak Republic No. 272/1994 Coll. of Laws on
 Human Health Protection, as amended, § 43 of the Act No. 140/1998 Coll. of Laws on 
Medicaments and Medical Aids, on Modification of the Act No. 455/1991 Coll. on Trade 
Licensing (Trade Licensing Act), as amended, and on Modification and Amendment of the Act 
of the National Council of the Slovak Republic No. 220/1196 Coll. of Laws on Advertisement, 
as amended by the Act No. 119/2000 Coll. of Laws, Regulation of the Ministry of Health of the
 Slovak Republic No. 12/2000 Coll. of Laws on Requirements for the Provision of Radiation 
Protection). 

According to the Annex 1 to Act No. 223/2001 Coll. of Laws the wastes are:
Production or consumption wastes not otherwise specified below; 
Off-specification products; 
Products whose date for appropriate use has expired;
Materials spilled, lost or having undergone other mishap, including any materials, equipment, 
etc., contaminated as a result of the mishap; 
Materials soiled or contaminated as a result of planned actions (e.g. waste from cleaning 
operations, packing materials, containers); 
Unusable parts (e.g. rejected batteries, exhausted catalysts); 
Substances which no longer perform satisfactorily (e.g. contaminated acids, contaminated 
solvents, exhausted tempering salts); 
Residues of industrial processes (e.g. slags, still bottoms); 
Residues from pollution abatement processes (e.g. scrubber sludges, baghouse dusts, spent 
filters); Machining/finishing residues (e.g. lathe turnings, mill scales); Residues from raw 
materials extraction and processing (e.g. mining residues, oil fieldslops); 
Adulterated materials (e.g. oils contaminated with PCBs); 
Any materials, substances or products whose use has been banned by law; 
Products for which the holder has no further use (e.g. agricultural, household, office, 
commercial and shop discards); 
Contaminated materials, substances or products resulting from remedial action with respect to 
land; and Any materials, substances or products which are not contained in the above 
categories.  

The Decree No. 284/2001 Coll. of Laws on Waste Catalogue defines two categories of wastes: 
a) non-hazardous, b) hazardous.
Slovenia
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Slovenia. 

According to Rules on Waste Management (1998) definition of waste is: Waste shall be deemed
 to be all substances or items which are classified under any of the groups of waste specified in
 Annex 1A (list of groups of wastes) to these Rules and whose owner disposes them of, intend 
to dispose of or must dispose of them. Classification list of wastes (hereinafter: list of wastes) 
is determined in Annex 1 to these Rules which is an integral part of this Rules.
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
2002	There is no national definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste in The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. 
Ukraine
	2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Ukraine. 

"Wastes" means substances, materials or objects which are disposed of, are intended to be 
disposed of by their generator or owner, or are required to be disposed of by way of utilization 
or disposal. (Remarks: "Disposal" means any operation, mentioned in division A of the Annex 1 
to the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 1120 of 13.07.2000. "Utilization" means 
any operation, mentioned in division of the Annex 1 of the same Resolution.)
UN Region:	 Latin America and the Caribbean
Antigua and Barbuda
2002	The national definition of waste to be used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste is being prepared.

Draft Solid Waste Management Act. The act has gone through extensive review.
Argentina
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Argentina. 

The national definition of "waste" of Argentina is same as the Basel definition of waste (National
 Law 23922 - Basel Convention ratification).
Barbados
2002	There is no national definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste in Barbados. 

However, a definition is proposed in the revised "Policy Paper: Management of Toxic 
Chemicals and Hazardous Waste." 

 Hazardous waste means waste that has one or more of the following properties:
1. has flashpoint of less than61oC;
2. ignites and propagates combustion in a test sampe;
3. at a rate that is equal to or greater than that provided by ammonium persulphate, potassium 
	   percholorate or potassium bromate;
4. the pH value is less than 2.0 or greater than 125;
5. it contains polychlorinated byphenyls at a concentration equal to or greater than 50mg/kg;
6. its leachate contains any substance listed in Table 2 in excess of the concentrations listed; 
	  and
 7. it contains any of the following substances in a concentration greater than 0.001mg/L:
		Hexachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxins
		Pentachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxins
		Tetrachloro-dibenzo-p-dioxins
		Hexachloro-dibenzofurans
		Pentachloro-dibnzofurans
		Tetrachloro-dibenzofurans

Special wastes are non-hazardous wastes that require special handling and disposal procedures.
These would include, for example: gasoline contaminated soil and wastes from international flights or ports.
Brazil
2002	There is no national definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste in Brazil. 
Chile
2002	The national definition of waste to be used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste is being prepared.

A Draft Law is being prepared by the National Congress, which, if approved, will prohibit the 
entry of hazardous wastes into Chile. This Draft Law would contain definitions of waste and 
hazardous waste. Also a regulation on Management of Hazardous Wastes is under preparation.
Costa Rica
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Costa Rica. 

Waste is "any deficient, non-usable or useless product, that its owner or user decided to 
eliminate or dispose." (The Basel Convention is a Law in Costa Rica: No 7438, November 18, 1994)
Cuba
2002	There is no national definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste in Cuba. 
Dominican Republic
2002	There is no national definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste in Dominican Republic. 
Ecuador
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Ecuador. 

Wastes are substances (solid, liquid, gaseous or mixtures) or objects which are disposed of, or 
are intended to be disposed of or are required to be disposed of by virtue of the national law in force. 

Honduras
2002	The national definition of waste to be used for the purpose of transboundary 
	movements of waste is being prepared.

Definition given by the Basel Convention is in use.

Mexico
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Mexico. 

Any material generated in the extraction processes, benefit, transformation, production, 
consumption, use, control or treatment which quality does not allow to use it again in the 
process that generated it.

In accordance with the General Law of the Ecological Equilibrium and Environmental 
Protection, Art. 3 fraction XXXI.
Panama
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Panama. 

Wastes are substances or objects that are disposed of, or are intended to be disposed of or are 
required to be disposed of by virtue of the provisions of the national legislation.
Peru
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Peru. 

There is no definition of waste for the purpose of transboundary movements of wastes; 
however, there is a General Solid Wastes Act, Act No. 27314 published on 21 July 2000, in 
which the following definition of solid wastes is laid down:

Article 14 - Definition of solid wastes
Solid wastes are those substances, products or by-products in solid or semi-solid state which 
the generator of such wastes disposes of, or is required to dispose of, by virtue of the 
provisions of national regulations or because of the risks they cause to health and the 
environment, for management by means of a system including the following operations or 
processes, as appropriate: waste minimization; segregation at source; resupply; storage; 
collection; commercialization;and transport.

This definition has made it possible for the population to identify solid wastes and all wastes 
declared as such must be subject to the corresponding provisions, including, for example, the 
provisions of the Basel Convention.
Saint Lucia
2002	National definition of waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of 
	waste exists in Saint Lucia. 

Solid Waste has the identical definition for waste irrespective of whether it is for management 
at the national level or for transboundary movements. This definition is: garbage, refuse, 
organic waste, scrap metal, silt, back-filling material, construction and demolition material and 
other solid materials discarded from - (a) residential, industrial, commercial or government 
establishments or operations; and (b) public or community activities but does not include solid 
or dissolved material in domestic sewage, or other substances in water sources, dissolved or 
suspended solids in industrial wastewater effluents, dissolved materials in irrigation return flows
 or other common water pollutants.