On 14 September 2026, the Croatian Government submitted a bill amending the Waste Management Act to Parliament, and the proposal entered the first-reading procedure on 15 September. The changes would strengthen the tracking of waste from arrival at a site through transport and treatment.
Three changes are particularly relevant to waste-management operators. Continuous video surveillance would be required at site entrances, with recordings retained for 30 days. Waste transport vehicles would be tracked by GPS and movement data retained for two years. The expanded e-ONTO register would cover production, handover, receipt, storage, transport and treatment, with records updated after each change.
The bill would also reinforce the financial security available to cover waste-removal costs. Competent authorities would check the adequacy of guarantees at least annually against both permitted and actual quantities of waste. Before issuing a waste-management permit, the authority would have to obtain a reasoned opinion from the relevant mayor, based on the spatial plan and the designated use of the facility.
Operators can use the legislative period to map their sites, entrances, vehicles, current tracking systems, responsible staff and data flows into e-ONTO. This will help estimate the cost of equipment, data retention and guarantees and prepare internal procedures. The specific duties and deadlines will arise after the law is enacted and the relevant provisions enter into force.