Minister of Environment Decision No. 136 of 2025 regarding the adoption of the Integrated Hazardous Waste Management Regulations.

These Regulations, comprising 37 articles and four annexes, aim to: (i) regulate the collection, transportation, storage, treatment, and safe disposal of hazardous waste by producers and treatment companies; and (ii) promote awareness of proper hazardous waste management; (iii) provide training on safe handling practices to reduce risks, prevent pollution, and protect human health and the environment. This Regulation applies to all producers, transporters, and treatment facilities handling hazardous waste, as well as operators of landfills used for its final disposal, covering activities such as collection, transport, and treatment. It excludes non-hazardous industrial, commercial, municipal, agricultural, and animal waste. However, the Ministry of Environment may subject any waste to these provisions if it determines that it is hazardous or unsuitable for treatment or recycling. The hazardous waste that needs to be controlled is listed in Appendix 1. Hazardous waste is classified under international standards based on characteristics such as flammability, corrosiveness, reactivity, toxicity, explosiveness, infectiousness, and environmental harm, as defined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Basel Convention.
The Regulations establish a comprehensive framework for hazardous waste management, covering the minimization of waste generation and the safe production, handling, storage, transport, treatment, and disposal of such waste. They require proper documentation, monitoring, and the use of licensed entities and appropriate technologies to ensure the protection of human health and the environment. The Regulations also impose strict conditions on storage and transport operations, including safety measures, training, emergency preparedness, and public awareness, while assigning full responsibility to waste producers until final treatment or disposal. Hazardous waste treatment and disposal are permitted only in licensed facilities subject to environmental impact assessments, strict operational standards, and continuous monitoring. Operators are required to maintain accurate records, apply approved technologies, monitor emissions and pollutants, manage residues safely, and report regularly to the competent authorities, while remaining liable for any environmental damage, with licenses subject to revocation in case of non-compliance. The Regulations further establish specific requirements for (i) the management of empty containers of hazardous materials and waste (Article 26); (ii) the obligations of owners and operators of storage, treatment, and disposal sites (Article 27); (iii) the use of tanks for storing or treating hazardous waste (Article 28); and (iv) the use of tanks for flammable and reactive hazardous waste (Article 29). Article 30 sets out detailed technical and operational requirements for hazardous waste landfills, including impermeable lining systems, leachate collection and drainage, rainwater management, inspection and monitoring, record-keeping, and closure and post-closure measures, as well as specific conditions for managing flammable, reactive, incompatible, and liquid wastes. Finally, the Regulations provide detailed rules on hazardous waste incineration, requiring controlled operation by trained personnel, high-temperature treatment to ensure effective destruction of pollutants, proper segregation and handling of waste, and stringent emission control measures. They also mandate continuous monitoring, regular inspection, emergency planning, and safe management of residues, while imposing obligations on waste producers regarding classification, packaging, documentation, transport, and record-keeping, and prohibiting the import of hazardous waste while regulating its export and movement under strict authorization. Sanctions for violations are set out in Law No. 15 of 2003 on Environmental Protection.
The Annexes concern (1) Hazardous waste classification / categories of waste that need to be controlled; (2) Hazardous Waste Transfer Form; (3) Some types of hazardous waste; (4) Hazardous waste warning signs.