The Second Operational Workshop for the update of investigative methodologies on Illicit Waste Trafficking took place on video conference on 5-6 May 2021. Thanks to the active participation of the European Anti-Fraud Office – OLAF, Europol, FRONTEX, specialized police officers from 12 different European countries, representatives of research centres, academia, UN agencies, public institutions, environmental inspectors, customs, private sector and non-profit organisations, the workshop was a success!
Day 1 opened with a session on “Transfrontier Shipments of Waste: EU Regulations and illicit trafficking patterns” featuring guest speakers from OLAF, the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management – Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate, the Italian Customs Agency (ADM) and the German Police University DHPol. Movements of waste were analysed from a legislative perspective, as well as from a criminal modus operandi point of view, while the European Anti-Fraud office shed light on instruments and modalities to foster cooperation on investigations in this specific field.
The afternoon was dedicated to a fruitful discussion around “Waste cycle revolution in the context of the green economy”, where high level experts from the Italian Environmental Protection and Research Institute (ISPRA) drove the participants through the main changes occurred with the introduction of the “Waste Package” EU Directives and experts from the Italian Inspectorate for Nuclear Safety and Radioprotection (ISIN) highlighted the impact of circular economy on nuclar waste management.
Day 2 featured interventions from three Italian Regional Agencies for Environmental Protection: ARPA Lombardia, ARPA Veneto and ARPA Emilia Romagna, as well as from the Romanian Institute for Aerospacial Research (INCAS) on the “Use of innovative technology in prevention and control of Illicit Waste Trafficking”. The presentations and the proactive interventions of the participants created an ideal forum for sharing regional best practices on the use of innvoative systems and technologies and set the basis for future technical workshops aimed at a greater geographical range of stakeholders.
The last internal laboratory set the stage for a technical discussion among OPFA WASTE team of environmental, financial and organised crime experts, supported by Europol, FRONTEX, EnviCrimeNet members and representatives from Customs of different countries, on the crucial elements to consider in view of the Illicit Waste Trafficking methodology update, considering inputs received during the event.
For more information on how to join the technical forums on updating investigative methodologies do not hesitate to reach out via website in the contact us section or via email info@opfawaste-project.eu. The OPFA WASTE team will keep you posted on future activities.
Stay tuned and head over to our Twitter account @opfawaste!