The rules behind the digital identification form
From the Flemish digital mandate to the European DIWASS system: this is what the regulations require from you today — and how FormDesk keeps you compliant effortlessly.
Timeline
From paper to fully digital
Last updated: October 2026
1 January 2023
Digital identification form mandatory in Flanders
Every waste transport subject to the identification requirement must be accompanied by a digital identification form (e-IDF), delivered by a system approved by OVAM. A paper form is no longer sufficient.
1 January 2024
Enforcement and fines
Since this date, the use of the digital identification form is actively enforced and violations are fined.
21 May 2026
DIWASS mandatory for cross-border shipments
European Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 makes the digital DIWASS system mandatory for cross-border waste shipments subject to notification. Registration of your company, sites and users is required to submit dossiers. A transition period applies until the end of 2026 for green-listed shipments.
15 August 2026
IOP: interoperability between approved systems
Since this date, approved systems must support interoperability through the IOP. OVAM aimed to launch the IOP on 15 September 2026; according to OVAM, no forms are being forwarded yet. Collectors, dealers and brokers (IHMs) and waste producers who make their own arrangements select at least one approved system in IRIS.
Who it affects
What does this mean for your role?
Collector, trader or broker (IHM)
You are responsible for drawing up the digital identification form via an OVAM-approved system. For the IOP, you indicate in IRIS which system you want to receive forms in.
Waste producer with own arrangements
If you make your own arrangements for your waste, the same obligations apply as for an IHM: create forms digitally via an approved system and select a system in IRIS.
Transporter
You do not have to deliver the form yourself, but it must be present during transport and you register departure and arrival digitally. Via the IOP, this will soon be possible in the system where you are a customer.
Processor
You digitally sign for the receipt of the waste. Thanks to the IOP, this will soon be possible in your own familiar system, regardless of where the form was created.
Regions
Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels
Flanders
Digital identification form mandatory since 1 January 2023, with enforcement and fines since 1 January 2024. Only OVAM-approved systems are allowed. A transport that passes through Flanders only partly also needs a digital form.
Brussels
Digital is not mandatory, but it is allowed provided Brussels Environment has approved the system. FormDesk is on that list of approved systems.
Wallonia
Paper and digital are both allowed (ministerial circular of 22 February 2024). Systems approved by OVAM or Brussels Environment may be used there.
Cross-border (EU)
From 21 May 2026, shipments subject to notification must go through the European DIWASS system, based on Regulation (EU) 2024/1157.
FormDesk & the regulations
Stay compliant automatically
FormDesk is an OVAM-approved and Brussels Environment-approved system for digital identification forms. It takes the administrative obligations off your hands: mandatory fields are validated, reporting to MATIS runs automatically and, as an IRIS participant, FormDesk is ready for the IOP.
Tip: activate FormDesk in IRIS
Designate FormDesk as your preferred system at iris.ovam.be. Forms from other approved systems will then automatically be processed for you in FormDesk.
iris.ovam.beFrequently asked questions
The regulations in brief
No. Since 1 January 2023, a digital identification form from an OVAM-approved system is mandatory, and since 1 January 2024 fines are imposed. Limited exceptions exist, including household collection rounds and small quantities of your own company waste.
OVAM's IOP (interoperability platform) lets approved systems exchange forms automatically. If you are an IHM or a producer making your own arrangements, you select the approved system you use in IRIS. Approved systems must be interoperable since 15 August 2026; according to OVAM, no forms are being forwarded through the IOP yet.
No. In Brussels, digital is allowed with a system approved by Brussels Environment; in Wallonia, paper and digital are both valid. If a transport passes (partly) through Flanders, the Flemish digital requirement applies. Cross-border shipments subject to notification have gone through the European DIWASS system since 21 May 2026.
DIWASS (Digital Waste Shipment System) is the European digital system for exchanging information and documents on cross-border waste shipments, mandatory from 21 May 2026 based on Regulation (EU) 2024/1157. Companies register their organisation, sites and users in advance.
Further reading
More about the identification form
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