Order of precedence for LoW chapters as laid down in the LoW

The chapters (two digit codes) can be categorized into three different sets that need to be considered, following a predetermined sequence as laid down in the Annex to the LoW, when trying to identify the absolute entry or mirror entry which best corresponds to a waste under investigation: A. 01 to 12 and 17 to 20 chapters related to waste source B. 13 to 15 chapters related to waste type C. 16 chapter for waste not otherwise specified in the list First, it is important to consider the chapters 01 to 12 and 17 to 20 (excluding their general entries ending with 99) which identify a waste by referring to its source or industrial sector of origin. Instead of considering the general type of industry where the waste arises, one should rather consider the specific industrial process. One example is waste from the automotive industry: depending on the process, waste can be classified in chapter 12 (wastes from shaping and physical and mechanical surface treatment of metals and plastic), chapter 11 (wastes from chemical surface treatment and coating of metals and other materials; non-ferrous hydro-metallurgy) or 08 (wastes from the manufacture, formulation, supply and use (MFSU) of coatings (paints, varnishes and vitreous enamels), adhesives, sealants and printing inks). The 99 code from these chapters must not be used at this stage. If no appropriate waste code can be found in chapters 01 to 12 or 17 to 20, the next chapters to be checked, according to the defined order of precedence are chapters 13 to 15 (excluding their general entries ending with 99). These chapters are related to the nature of the waste itself, e.g. waste packaging. If none of these waste codes apply, the waste must be identified according to chapter 16 (excluding its general entries ending with 99) which represents a miscellaneous set of waste streams which cannot be otherwise specifically related to a given processes or sector, e.g. WEEE or end-of life vehicles. If the waste cannot be reasonably allocated to any of the entries in chapter 16 either, a suitable 99 code (wastes not otherwise specified) must be found in the section of the list corresponding to the waste source identified in the first step. Identifying the most appropriate entry is an important step in the classification of waste and requires a sound and honest judgement by the operator, based on his knowledge of the origin and process generating the waste, as well as its potential composition. Annex 1.2 provides more detailed information on how to apply the list and its pre-defined order of precedence and summarizes the information already provided in a flow chart (see Figure 1). CODE CHAPTER DESCRIPTION PRECEDENCE 01 WASTES RESULTING FROM EXPLORATION, MINING, QUARRYING, PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL TREATMENT OF MINERALS A 02 WASTES FROM AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE, AQUACULTURE, FORESTRY, HUNTING AND FISHING, FOOD PREPARATION AND PROCESSING 03 WASTES FROM WOOD PROCESSING AND THE PRODUCTION OF PANELS AND FURNITURE, PULP, PAPER AND CARDBOARD 04 WASTES FROM THE LEATHER, FUR AND TEXTILE INDUSTRIES 05 WASTES FROM PETROLEUM REFINING, NATURAL GAS PURIFICATION AND PYROLYTIC TREATMENT OF COAL 06 WASTES FROM INORGANIC CHEMICAL PROCESSES 07 WASTES FROM ORGANIC CHEMICAL PROCESSES 08 WASTES FROM THE MANUFACTURE, FORMULATION, SUPPLY AND USE (MFSU) OF COATINGS (PAINTS, VARNISHES AND VITREOUS ENAMELS), ADHESIVES, SEALANTS AND PRINTING INKS 09 WASTES FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHIC INDUSTRY 10 WASTES FROM THERMAL PROCESSES 11 WASTES FROM CHEMICAL SURFACE TREATMENT AND COATING OF METALS AND OTHER MATERIALS; NON-FERROUS HYDRO-METALLURGY 12 WASTES FROM SHAPING AND PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL SURFACE TREATMENT OF METALS AND PLASTICS 13 OIL WASTES AND WASTES OF LIQUID FUELS (EXCEPT EDIBLE OILS, 05 AND 12) B 14 WASTE ORGANIC SOLVENTS, REFRIGERANTS AND PROPELLANTS (EXCEPT 07 AND 08) 15 WASTE PACKAGING; ABSORBENTS, WIPING CLOTHS, FILTER MATERIALS AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED 16 WASTES NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED IN THE LIST C 17 CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION WASTES (INCLUDING EXCAVATED SOIL FROM CONTAMINATED SITES) A 18 WASTES FROM HUMAN OR ANIMAL HEALTH CARE AND/OR RELATED RESEARCH (EXCEPT KITCHEN AND RESTAURANT WASTES NOT ARISING FROM IMMEDIATE HEALTH CARE) 19 WASTES FROM WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES, OFF-SITE WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS AND THE PREPARATION OF WATER INTENDED FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION AND WATER FOR INDUSTRIAL USE 20 MUNICIPAL WASTES (HOUSEHOLD WASTE AND SIMILAR COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL WASTES) INCLUDING SEPARATELY COLLECTED FRACTIONS

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-09-07