Intensive border traffic ? - Legal questions of waste transports between Netherlands and Germany

More than 70% of the waste imported into Germany is of Dutch origine. This intensive trade causes lots of practical and legal questions. Although the trade of waste is ruled by the European Waste Shipment Regulation, the interpretation of some crucial provisions, as well as the interpretation of some basic terms is not alwas the same in both countries. After offering an overview over the legal provisions, the competent authorities and the procedures in the Netherlands, the article discusses Dutch interpretations of central notions of waste law and wastetransport-policy. The system of legal protection is described. Especially the possibilities of provisional relief seem to be significantly broader than in Germany. Finally, some interesting practical cases, some being judged recently, others still pending, are discussed.