Annex VII and Article 18: from contract to certificate.
Short answer
Annex VII is the information document that travels with every green-list waste export. Block 12 is the exporter’s contract declaration; the consignee signs block 13 and the facility block 14 on receipt.
Since 1 July 2026, exporters in England also report expected Article 18 exports to Defra. For loads into the EU, the Annex VII information must be in DIWASS from 1 January 2027.
- From
- Northmill Fibre Ltd, Hull
- To
- Corvin Recycling B.V., Rotterdam
- 12Person who arranges the shipmentcontract declarationsigned
- 13Consigneesigns on receiptwaiting
- 14Recovery facilitysigns on receiptwaiting
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Who signs Annex VII, and when?
- Block 12
- Signed by the person who arranges the shipment, such as the exporter or a broker. It declares that a contract with the consignee exists.
- Block 13
- Signed by the importer (the consignee) when the load arrives.
- Block 14
- Signed by the recovery facility on receipt. Under EU rules it confirms receipt within 2 working days.
- Waste code
- Each Annex VII names the waste’s green-list code, for example B3011 for single-polymer plastic.
What must the contract cover?
Under EU rules, the contract runs from Annex VII completion until the recovery certificate. It includes a take-back clause.
If the facility is not the consignee, it co-signs the contract.
What does Article 18 reporting ask?
Since 1 July 2026, exporters in England send Defra a forecast of their green-list exports for the next 12 months.
The Environment Agency can also send information notices. These can ask for monthly Annex VII data and evidence on each overseas facility.
That evidence means the site’s authorisation, geotagged photos, a process flow chart, the contract, a named contact and licences.
Which dates apply to UK exporters?
England unless marked. Checked on 3 November 2026.
| When | What happens | Who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan 2021UK | Plastic goes as green list only as B3011: single polymer, almost free from contamination, for recycling, to an OECD country. Other plastic (Y48, AC300) needs notification. | Plastic exporters |
| In forceScotland | Annex VII goes to SEPA before the shipment starts, by DIWASS or email. | Exporters in Scotland |
| 21 May 2026EU | Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 applies. Notified shipments run through DIWASS on the EU side; from England and Wales you still apply through IWS Online. | Notified exports into the EU |
| 1 Jul 2026in force | Article 18 export reporting: a 12-month forecast on the Defra form, and EA information notices. | Green-list exporters in England |
| 21 Nov 2026EU | The EU bans B3011 plastic exports to non-OECD countries. | Plastic leaving the EU |
| To 31 Dec 2026EU | Annex VII into the EU may still travel on paper; DIWASS is voluntary. | Green-list loads into the EU |
| 1 Jan 2027next | Annex VII information in DIWASS before the shipment starts. The date is the Commission’s transitional approach, not in the Regulation. | Green-list loads into the EU |
Sources are listed at the end of the page. A summary, not legal advice.
One load, contract to certificate.
- Before the first load
The contract is signed; the facility co-signs if it is not the consignee. Its evidence is on file.Art 18(10) · EA information notices
- 2 working days before departure
The Annex VII is complete, under the EU rule. Quantity, carrier and container may follow until the load leaves.Art 18(4)–(5)
- On the road
A copy travels with the load and matches the electronic record.Art 18(6)
- Within 2 working days of arrival
The facility confirms receipt by completing the Annex VII.Art 18(8)
- Within 30 days of recovery, 1 year of receipt
The facility issues the recovery certificate.Art 18(9)
- Up to 12 weeks later
For packaging waste, the PERN is now issued at reprocessing, not at export.letsrecycle, 20 August 2026
- 3 years in the UK, 5 in the EU
The Annex VII and contract stay on file.GOV.UK · Art 20(2)
Four mistakes we see
Completing the Annex VII as the lorry leaves
On loads into the EU, it must be complete 2 working days before departure.
Instead: complete it when the load is booked; add quantity, carrier and container before it leaves.
Treating any plastic as green list
Only B3011 qualifies, and only to an OECD country.
Instead: check grade and destination before you book; anything else needs notification.
Collecting facility evidence after the notice
An EA information notice can ask for each overseas site’s authorisation, photos and contract.
Instead: keep that evidence on file before the first load.
Counting the PERN at export
A PERN is now issued at reprocessing, up to 12 weeks later.
Instead: plan cash per load, from the date the reprocessor confirms receipt.
Where these facts come from
- GOV.UK: importing and exporting waste (updated 16 June 2026)
- GOV.UK: importing and exporting waste plastic
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 on shipments of waste, Articles 18, 20, 27, 39 and 86
- Defra: frequently asked questions on EU Regulation 2024/1157 (1 May 2026)
- European Commission: Digital Waste Shipment System (DIWASS)
- letsrecycle: PERNs issued at reprocessing (20 August 2026)
As of 3 November 2026. A summary, not legal advice.
What exporters ask first
Is a Word or PDF Annex VII still enough?
GB authorities don’t require DIWASS. For loads into the EU, the information must be in DIWASS before departure from 1 January 2027. A copy still travels with the load.
Who enters my Annex VII in DIWASS?
Either you register, with the EU authority of destination approving, or your EU consignee enters it. Guidance doesn’t yet say who enters it for an unregistered UK party; agree it with each buyer.
Do I use IWS Online for green-list exports?
No. IWS Online is the EA’s service for notified exports from England and Wales. Green-list loads travel on Annex VII, and England’s Article 18 reporting uses the Defra form.
Does plastic go as green-list waste?
Only as B3011: single polymer, almost free from contamination, for recycling, to an OECD country. Other plastic needs notification. From 21 November 2026 the EU bans B3011 exports to non-OECD countries.
How long do I keep the Annex VII and contract?
Three years under UK rules. In the EU, the arranger, consignee and facility keep the information for five years from the recovery certificate.
Twenty minutes on one load.
What you get in 20 minutes
- One load, followed. From contract to certificate, with what the AI would have prepared at each step.
- Your Article 18 file. What your forecast and an EA information notice would need from you.
- Your route into DIWASS. Register, or agree it with each EU buyer before January.
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