Basel Convention 2002
Country Fact Sheet 2006

Latvia

Status of Ratifications:
Party to the Basel Convention: / 14.04.1992 (a)
Amendment to the Basel Convention: / 18.12.2003 (A)
Basel protocol on Liability and Compensation: /
-

(Accession (a); Acceptance (A); Approval (AA); Formal confirmation (c); Ratification; Succession (d))

Competent Authority
/ Focal Point
Environmental Protection Department
Ministry of Environment
25, Peldu Str.
LV 1494, Riga
Latvia
Telephone: (371) 702 65 15
Telefax: (371) 782 04 42
E-Mail: / Environmental Protection Department
Ministry of Environment
25, Peldu Str.
LV 1494, Riga
Latvia
Telephone: (371) 702 65 15
Telefax: (371) 782 04 42
E-Mail:
National Definition / 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)
National definition of hazardous waste used for the purpose of transboundary movements of waste exists in Latvia.
"Hazardous waste- waste which has one or more characteristics which makes it hazardous to human life and health, the environment, or the property of persons, and which conforms to a hazardous waste category specified in the waste classification."(Waste Management Law, Art.4.1)
There are no wastes defined as, or considered to be hazardous wastes by national legislation in accordance with Art. 1, para 1(b) of the Basel Convention.
There is no information concerning wastes other than those pursuant to Art. 1 (1)a and/or Art. 1 (1)b of the Basel Convention that would require special consideration when subjected to transboundary movement provided for Latvia.
In accordance with provisions of Article 63.(1) of the Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 on shipments of waste:
1. Until 31 December 2010, all shipments to Latvia of waste for recovery listed in Annexes III and IV and shipments of waste for recovery not listed in those Annexes shall be subject to the procedure of prior written notification and consent in accordance with Title II.
By way of derogation from Article 12, the competent authorities shall object to shipments of waste for recovery listed in Annexes III and IV and shipments of waste for recovery not listed in those Annexes destined for a facility benefiting from a temporary derogation from certain provisions of Directive 96/61/EC during the period in which the temporary derogation is applied to the facility of destination.
Restrictions on Transboundary Movement / Amendment to the Basel Convention
The amendment to the Basel Convention (Decision III/1) has been implemented in Latvia.
Restrictions on export for final disposal
Latvia restricts the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal.
Latvia accessed to European Union on 1st of May, 2004. Council Regulation No 259/93 of 1st February 1993 on the supervision and control of shipments of waste within, into and out of the European Community has been replaced by Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 on shipments of waste is directly applicable in Latvia since July 13, 2006.
In accordance with provisions of Article 34 of Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 on shipments of waste:
1. All exports of waste from the Community destined for disposal shall be prohibited.
2. The prohibition in paragraph 1 shall not apply to exports of waste destined for disposal in EFTA countries which are also Parties to the Basel Convention.
3. However, exports of waste for disposal to an EFTA country Party to the Basel Convention shall also be prohibited:
(a) where the EFTA country prohibits imports of such waste; or
(b) if the competent authority of dispatch has reason to believe that the waste will not be managed in an environmentally sound manner, as referred to in Article 49, in the country of destination concerned.
4. This provision shall be without prejudice to the take-back obligations as laid down in Articles 22 and 24.
Restrictions on export for recovery
Latvia restricts the export of hazardous wastes and other wastes for recovery.
Latvia acceded to European Union on 1st of May, 2004. Council Regulation No 259/93 of 1st February 1993 on the supervision and control of shipments of waste within, into and out of the European Community and Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 on shipments of waste are directly applicable in Latvia.
Provisions regarding prohibition of export of waste for recovery have been provided for in Article 16 of Regulation 259/93 of 1st February 1993 on the supervision and control of shipments of waste within, into and out of the European Community.
Provisions regarding prohibition of export of waste for recovery have been provided for in Article 36 of Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 on shipments of waste.
Restrictions on import for final disposal
Latvia restricts the import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for final disposal.
Waste Management Law, 01.03.2001.
Its prohibited to import into the territory of the Republic of Latvia any waste for disposal or long-term storage. Restriction applies to all countries.
Restrictions on import for recovery
Latvia restricts the import of hazardous wastes and other wastes for recovery.
Waste Management Law, 01.03.2001.
It is permitted to import hazardous waste for recovery only if there are hazardous waste recovery facilities in operation in the territory of the Republic of Latvia, the owner of which has obtained a permit for the recovery of the relevant hazardous waste, and which have the necessary capacity.
Restrictions on transit
Latvia restricts the transit of hazardous wastes and other wastes.
Article 47 and 48 of Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 on shipments of waste.
The restriction covers third countries.
Reduction and/or Elimination of Hazardous Waste Generation / National strategies/policies
National Waste Management Plan, 2006-2012.
Legislation, regulations and guidelines
Waste Management Law, Law on Natural Resource tax.
Economic instruments/ initiatives
Natural resource tax for disposal of hazardous waste, natural resource tax exemption for collection and for recovery of hazardous wastes.
Transboundary Movement Reduction Measures / None.
Disposal/
Recovery Facilities / Disposal facilities
-  Landfill for disposal of asbestos and asbestos-containing waste “Dumini”, Brocenu area, Saldus district, Latvia; Disposal of asbestos and asbestos-containing waste; D1
-  “Eko Osta”, Ltd., Tvaika 39, Riga, LV-1034; Incineration on land; D10
Recovery/recycling/re-use facilities
-  Lampu demerkurizacijas centrs Ltd, Kapsedes 10, LV-3400, Liepaja; Destruction of mercury-containing light bulbs, separation of mercury; R5
-  “Cemex ”,Ltd.; Liepnieku 15, Broceni, Saldus rajons, LV-3851, Latvia; Use as a fuel (other than in direct incineration) or other means to generate energy.; R1
-  JSC “Broceni”; Liepnieku 15, Broceni, Saldus rajons, LV-3851, Latvia; Recycling/reclamation of other inorganic materials.; R5
-  “LC”, Ltd, Pils iela 14, Riga, Latvia, LV-1050; Use as a fuel (other than in direct incineration) or other means to generate energy- incineration of medical waste.; R1
-  “Bistamo Atkritumu Serviss”, Raina iela 28, Daugavpils, Latvia; Use as a fuel (other than in direct incineration) or other means to generate energy – incineration of waste oils; R1
Bilateral, Multilateral or Regional Agreements / -  No agreements
Technical Assistance and Training Available / -  Latvian Waste Management Association, Kursu iela 9-2, LV-1006,, Riga
-  State Agency for Management of Hazardous Waste, Miera iela 31, Salaspils, LV-2169, Latvia
Further information could be obtained from:
www.lasa.lv; www.bapa.gov.lv
Data on the Generation and Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Other wastes in 2006 (as reported) / Quantities
(in metric tons)

Generation

/ Amount of hazardous wastes generated under Art. 1(1)a (Annex I: Y1-Y45) of BC / 45,047 1)
Amount of hazardous wastes generated under Art. 1(1)b of BC

Total amount of hazardous wastes generated

/ 45,047
Amount of other wastes generated (Annex II: Y46-Y47) / 1,420,459 2)

Export

/ Amount of hazardous wastes exported / 6,387
Amount of other wastes exported / Not reported

Import

/ Amount of hazardous wastes imported / 129
Amount of other wastes imported / Not reported

1) Considerable increase in generation of hazardous wastes is caused by increased production at metallurgical plant, as it is linked with increased amounts of generated waste.

2) The sharp increase of total amount of generated waste is caused by improvements in data collection system and obtaining of data from wider circle of respondents.