Waste Framework Directive

The Waste Framework Directive (WFD) sets out the basic principles and definitions related to waste management. It explains when waste ceases to be waste and becomes a secondary raw material (so called End of Waste Criteria), and how to distinguish between waste and products.

The Directive lays down some basic waste management principles; it requires waste be managed without endangering human health and the environment, and without risk to water, air, soil, plants or animals, without causing a nuisance through noise or odours and without adversely affecting the countryside or places of interest.

The original WFD was published in 1975 and provides the original defintions of 'waste', 'recovery', 'management' and 'disposal'; it was then codified in 2006 (this brought various amendments together in one new codified Directive (2006/12/EC).

In 2008 the WFD was completely re-drafted (2008/98/EC).

In 2018 the 2008 WFD was modified in line with the EU's Circular Economy Action Plans, including providing an opportunity to update reuse and recycling targets for municipal waste. In Oct 2025 it was amended again to introduce binding food waste targets and mandatory EPR schemes for textile and footwear products (2025/1892/EC).