{"id":9695,"date":"2026-10-23T07:15:31","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T07:15:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sircat.com\/?p=9695"},"modified":"2026-10-27T08:04:22","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T08:04:22","slug":"law-7-2022-on-waste-key-obligations-for-businesses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sircat.com\/en\/law-7-2022-on-waste-key-obligations-for-businesses\/","title":{"rendered":"Law 7\/2022 on Waste: Key Obligations for Businesses"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Law 7\/2022 on Waste and Contaminated Soil for a Circular Economy<\/a> has been a game-changer for any company that generates waste. Whether it\u2019s an industrial facility, a workshop, or a production plant, the requirements for storage, documentation, and treatment are now more specific and stringent.<\/p>

Compliance with this law is not just a matter of avoiding penalties. Proper waste management reduces operational risks, improves traceability, and strengthens the company\u2019s environmental reputation with customers and government agencies.<\/p>

In this article, we review what the regulation covers, what practical obligations waste generators have, and why working with an authorized waste management company makes compliance easier.<\/p>

What is law 7\/2022 and who does it affect?<\/h2>

Law 7\/2022, dated April 8, is the basic national law on waste and contaminated soil. It replaces the previous Law 22\/2011 and transposes two European directives into Spanish law: Directive (EU) 2018\/851 on waste<\/a>, and Directive (EU) 2019\/904 on single-use plastics.<\/a><\/p>

Its purpose is to prevent and reduce waste generation and its impacts. It also seeks to move toward a circular, low-carbon economy through innovative and sustainable business models, products, and materials.<\/p>

The law applies to all parties in the waste management chain: waste generators, holders, transporters, dealers, agents, and waste management operators. The autonomous communities are generally responsible for authorizing, inspecting, and imposing penalties for these activities within their territory, while local authorities have jurisdiction over waste under local jurisdiction (household and commercial waste that they manage).<\/p>

The waste hierarchy: the cornerstone of the regulation<\/h2>

The law establishes an order of priority that should guide any decision regarding waste:<\/p>

  1. Prevention.<\/li><\/ol>
    1. Preparation for reuse.<\/li><\/ol>
      1. Recycled.<\/li><\/ol>
        1. Other types of recovery, including energy recovery.<\/li><\/ol>
          1. Elimination.<\/li><\/ol>

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            \"\"<\/p>

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            In practice, this means that disposal\u2014for example, in a landfill\u2014should generally be the last resort. When it comes to industrial waste, choosing the right treatment method is no longer just an economic decision: it is also a legal obligation.<\/p>

            Key changes in Law 7\/2022 for businesses<\/h2>

            The regulation took effect the day after its publication in the Official State Gazette (BOE), although several requirements were phased in gradually. Here are some of the most important dates for the commercial and industrial sectors:<\/p>

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            Date<\/strong><\/td>Requirements<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
            January 1, 2025<\/td>PET bottles must contain, on average, at least 25% recycled plastic. This percentage is expected to increase to 30% as of January 1, 2030.<\/td><\/tr>
            July 3, 2024<\/td>Only beverage containers whose lids and caps remain attached to the container during the product\u2019s intended use may be placed on the market.<\/td><\/tr>
            January 1, 2024<\/td>Mandatory selective demolition at construction sites.<\/td><\/tr>
            January 1, 2023<\/td>Title VII of the law takes effect: taxes on non-reusable plastic packaging and on landfilling, incineration, and co-incineration.<\/td><\/tr>
            July 1, 2022<\/td>Minimization Plan for Producers of Hazardous Waste and Classification of Construction and Demolition Waste into Categories.<\/td><\/tr>
            June 30, 2022<\/td>Mandatory separate collection of used cooking oil and source separation of organic waste in retail establishments, restaurants, and industry.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>

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            It also updates the penalty system, with more precisely defined violations and revised penalty amounts. It is important to note that the text has undergone subsequent amendments; therefore, it is advisable to always consult the consolidated version in the Official State Gazette (BOE). Furthermore, the law is currently under review. Between June and September 2026, MITECO<\/a> submitted a preliminary draft for public consultation<\/a> with the aim of amending the law to incorporate the new European directive on food waste and clarify certain aspects of the current regulation.<\/p>

            Practical obligations of the waste generator<\/h2>

            The law makes it clear that the original producer is responsible for ensuring that its waste is properly treated. It may treat the waste itself if it has authorization to do so, entrust it to an authorized waste manager or a registered dealer, or deliver it to a registered collection entity. In all cases, it must be able to provide documentary evidence of compliance<\/a>.<\/p>

            That responsibility does not end when the waste is handed over. It ends when the entire treatment process has been documented through transfer documents<\/a> and, if necessary, a certificate from the final treatment facility, which the generator may request.<\/p>

            Storage and labeling<\/h3>

            The law sets maximum storage periods at the place of production:<\/p>