The ninth iteration of WCO Operation DEMETER, which targets waste trafficking, as well as the illegal trade in ozone depleting substances (ODS) and potent greenhouse gases, took place from 1 October 2023 to 31 October 2023. It saw the participation of a record number of 106 Customs administrations and led to the detection of a record number of 338 infringement cases.
Operation DEMETER dates back to 2009 and is perhaps the most well-known of the efforts deployed by the Customs community to implement the provisions of the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, and since 2019, to implement the provisions of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
Seizures and involved waste streams
According to preliminary results, 338 infringement cases were reported, representing a total of:
- over 17,486 tonnes of waste and an additional 144,313 pieces of waste (unweighed)
- almost 70 tonnes of substances controlled under the Montreal Protocol and 6,046 pieces of pre-charged equipment (unweighed)
- almost 31 tonnes and 74,797 pieces (unweighted) of other commodities, including restricted or prohibited commodities such as hazardous chemicals.
- The number of reported cases increased by more than 140% compared to the previous edition of the Operation. This is due to a larger number of Customs administrations actively participating, conducting controls and effectively reporting control results. European and African Customs administrations, which reported 186 and 87 cases respectively, drove this surge.
The main waste streams involved in cases of waste trafficking concern textiles, metal, plastic, end-of-life vehicles and machinery, paper, and electronic and electrical waste (e-waste). Most of the seizures originated from Europe and were destined for Europe, Asia and Africa. Some of the seized shipments lacked the required documentation to confirm the eligible transboundary movement of waste, or were misdeclared.
LIFE SWEAP Contribution
Collaboration between Customs administrations and environmental agencies also stands out as a highlight of this year’s Operation, with joint inspections and control efforts reported by many participants. The LIFE SWEAP project contributed to Demeter IX by disseminating the operational action plan among its projects members in 38 countries, by collecting and sharing information resulting from the controls, by taking part in the briefing and debriefing and by supporting the capacity building activities.
Appreciation
Operation DEMETER IX was financially backed by China Customs and received extensive technical support from the Regional Intelligence Liaison Office for Asia/Pacific (RILO A/P). Additionally, a range of international partners, such as the Basel Convention Secretariat; the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) OzonAction; the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF); the UNODC Unwaste Project; INTERPOL; the European Union Network for the Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law (IMPEL); alongside the WCO RILO network, played pivotal roles in bolstering capacity building activities and facilitating information sharing within their respective networks.
- Source: WCO press release
Council and Parliament reach agreement for revised Waste Shipment Regulation
