Navigating Belgian Regulations and Challenges: Technology as a Guide for a Circular Economy
Navigating Belgian Regulations in the Resource Sector: A Guide to a Circular Economy It is a challenging time for resource-intensive industries such as the waste, recycling, and transport sector. In the face of increasingly strict regulations and guidelines, both at the European level and locally in Belgium (Flanders), companies in these sectors are facing complex challenges. New directives and obligations such as VLAREMA 9, the Digital Identification Form, and Obligations for Hazardous Waste, compel organizations in these sectors to make constant adjustments.
How best to deal with these changes during the transition to a circular economy, and which tools can help? In this article, we link these challenges to practice and show how technology can help ensure compliance, productivity, and safety.
Understanding Local Regulations: The Starting Point for Circular Transition
In Flanders, the VLAREMA 9 and the Digital Identification Form can bring complex challenges that are felt daily in operations. These rules require companies to separate collected waste - resources - at the source and dispose and process them responsibly. Alongside this, they must also manage hazardous substances correctly. The Digital Identification Form is a mandatory document that contributes to the circularity of processes for every waste transporter.
The Implications of VLAREMA 9 for the Resources Sector
The latest VLAREMA 9 is a sweeping change that has been in force since July 1, 2024. The latest regulations require companies to keep 24 types of waste, such as glass wool, rock wool, and bituminous roofing material, separated and dispose of them responsibly. In addition, companies must draw up a waste management and demolition plan in advance and update it during the process.
How the Digital ID Form Contributes to a Circular Economy
The Digital Identification Form, 'Logistics Without Paper' guideline, is a game-changer for the industry. It not only increases efficiency and traceability but also legal compliance for the transport of waste, LZP (Logistics Without Paper) already assessed and approved by OVAM.
In addition, the Digital Identification Form App for LZP companies can help transition efficiently to digital transport documents, significantly improving the traceability and security of their waste streams in the long term.
The Road to Compliance: The Challenges of Regulation in a Circular Economy
The challenge for companies in the waste, recycling, and transport sector lies in adapting to the new laws and regulations efficiently. This requires changes in operational processes and, in some cases, new technology investments. These technologies are not only necessary to comply with regulations but are also crucial tools to evolve towards a more sustainable future.
The current and planned legislation puts pressure on companies in waste, recycling, and transport. To comply with the laws, the challenge lies in informing each other better about the new rules, but at the same time, they also must look at possible changes in their operational processes. Taking the correct measures also sometimes entail the need for new technology investments, such as extra manpower for checks or a robust IT infrastructure that facilitates digitalization and documentation.
While the new regulation brings a variety of challenges, it also offers promising opportunities. Digital solutions such as a Cloud ERP Platform for business management and AI innovations can help companies tackle these challenges efficiently while remaining compliant.
The Role of Technology in Compliance, Efficiency, and (Work) Safety
Fortunately, technologies like the AMCS Platform, Vision AI and EHS solution can help companies meet these challenges. These systems contribute to the management of waste streams, the preparation and updating of waste management and demolition plans, and the creation and tracking of digital identification forms. In addition, they improve compliance with strict waste sorting and shipping requirements in accordance with local and EU laws and regulations. It is here that advanced technologies can help companies get on their way.
Industry-Specific Business Software for the Circular Economy
The AMCS Platform, which provides end-to-end support for managing and optimizing all business processes in resource management. By implementing this technology, companies have the opportunity to manage their processes more efficiently and effectively, according to the new legal requirements and to report on this. Consider CO2 reporting and other obligations as described in the CSRD guidelines, but also fully digitalized and optimized services and transport planning.
The Vision by Galloo with Future-Proof Technology
Galloo Recycling, based in Belgium, successfully manages the recycling of over 1 million tons of metal per year and employs over 750 people. In 2023, Galloo consulted the market to find the best solutions for their recycling activities. After this extensive search, Galloo chose a sustainable collaboration with AMCS, offering a solution perfectly tailored to the specific needs in recycling.“In our journey towards a more circular world, AMCS is a valuable partner. Our decision to select AMCS was driven by exceptional industry expertise and a solid reputation of more than thirty years, coupled with a significant customer base in the recycling sector. Moreover, we trust in the robust capabilities of the AMCS Platform, making them our ideal long-term IT partner to accelerate us towards our sustainability goals.”
Steve Decroubele, Head of IT, Galloo
Innovative AI Applications in the Resource Sector
Additionally, we see great developments in the application of Artificial Intelligence within the resource sector. In collaboration with the University of Limerick, AMCS has developed Vision AI, an intelligent image processing system that helps identify contamination in recyclable material streams and incorrect container offerings. With this tool, companies have the opportunity to improve control over the processes, comply with regulations more efficiently, and stimulate positive behaviour change. Consider mapping out areas using a heatmap to identify risk areas but also making it transparent when a customer offers a full or incorrect container that deviates from the agreed service.
Veolia's Experience with AI Pilot on Source Separation
A rewarding pilot has been implemented using AMCS Vision AI at Veolia Belgium & Luxembourg, on different collection vehicles:Peter Bevers, Waste Collection Director, Veolia
Applying technologies like these are not only essential for regulatory compliance but are also important tools in the transition to a more sustainable future. Indeed, during collection, Veolia collects valuable data points. For example, this information can be used to create a heat-map to identify the highest-risk areas of improperly presented waste. With these collected insights, both Veolia and relevant government bodies can take targeted actions where necessary in the areas they serve.
Safely Navigating the Hazardous Waste Management Obligations
According to a report by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), the waste management and recycling sector is considered one of the most dangerous sectors to work in in Europe. In Belgium, strict rules apply to the management of hazardous waste. Due to complex local regulations, companies must properly handle, store and transport these substances, which pose a risk to human health and the environment.
In addition, it is imperative that organisations meet strict reporting benchmarks and follow specific training and safety protocols - all within the framework of complex local and EU regulations.
In this complex landscape, AMCS (former Quentic), in partnership with Enhesa EHS Intelligence based in Brussels offers technologies that increase compliance, efficiency and security. The software solution helps keep legal texts up to date, manage hazardous and non-hazardous substances digitally and comply with ISO standards such as 14001 and 45001. This allows companies to significantly improve compliance with legal obligations around hazardous waste in Belgium, reduce risks and move towards a more sustainable business model.
Regulations and Technology as Drivers for a More Sustainable Future
Compliance with the complex Belgian laws and regulations in the waste, recycling, and transport sector can seem like a significant obstacle, but with the right technologies, it is possible to navigate this landscape smoothly. By using advanced tools such as the AMCS platform, Vision AI, and EHS solutions, companies can not only meet the latest legal requirements but also make strides towards sustainability and a circular economy.