RENTRI, an acronym for National Electronic Register for Waste Traceability , is a digital system designed to improve waste management and monitoring in Italy, established by Ministerial Decree 59/2023. Designed to replace the previous SISTRI system, with the aim of optimizing waste traceability and management through a completely digitalized platform.

RENTRI operates through a centralized digital platform, accessible to both waste producers and control bodies. Registered users must regularly enter detailed data on waste generated, transported and disposed of. This system guarantees data security through advanced encryption protocols and allows interoperability with other management systems.

The RENTRI structure is designed to facilitate waste management by ensuring traceability. It includes digital loading and unloading registers and a digital waste identification form.

Regulatory context and purpose of RENTRI

RENTRI was established with Ministerial Decree 59 of 4th April 2023 , issued by the Ministry of Ecological Transition (MiTE) to respond to European directives on the circular economy and waste traceability. The system was born from the need to overcome the critical issues of the previous SISTRI, ensuring greater transparency in the management of hazardous and non-hazardous waste through the complete integration of loading/unloading registers, identification forms (FIR) and MUD declarations.

The platform centralizes data from over 300,000 annual waste movements, allowing control authorities to access real-time information on production, transport and treatment. This reduces the risk of environmental crimes, such as illegal disposal or unauthorized cross-border trafficking, estimated to have decreased by 18% in the first months of implementation.

Goals

• Digitalization : RENTRI replaces paper-based processes with digital solutions, simplifying document management and improving data accessibility.
• Simplification and standardization : reducing burdens on businesses and standardizing procedures.
• Promoting sustainability : the system is aligned with the European Union’s sustainable development and circular economy objectives, promoting more responsible waste management.
• Greater traceability : Provides more effective traceability of waste, improving the transparency of operations and allowing accurate monitoring by control bodies.
• Regulatory Compliance : Facilitates compliance with current environmental regulations, reducing the risk of penalties.

Obliged subjects

The following are required to register with RENTRI: entities and companies that process waste, producers of hazardous waste, entities and companies that collect or transport hazardous waste on a professional basis, consortia for the recovery and recycling of particular types of waste, as well as municipalities or their consortia for non-hazardous waste.

In particular, registration with RENTRI is required for the following individuals:

• waste treatment plant operators : entities and companies that collect, treat, recover, recycle or dispose of waste. The obligation to transmit loading/unloading data to the system is monthly.
• waste transporters : companies that transport hazardous waste on a professional basis. The obligation extends to both self-employed carriers and logistics companies, regardless of the annual volume transported.
• traders and intermediaries : entities that purchase/sell waste without carrying out physical treatment, with specific restrictions for materials such as WEEE or asbestos.
• recovery consortia : consortia dedicated to the recovery and recycling of specific categories of waste, required to integrate consortium data with RENTRI.
• hazardous waste producers : all companies that generate waste classified as hazardous. They are divided into three subcategories based on the number of employees.
• industrial producers of non-hazardous waste : applicable only to industrial/craft activities with >50 employees, exempting SMEs below this threshold until 2026.
• delegated subjects : figures authorised to operate on behalf of producers or managers, with limited access to the portal’s functions.

Timings, registration methods and costs

The deadlines for registration in RENTRI (National Electronic Register for Waste Traceability) have been defined by Ministerial Decree 59/2023, which regulates the operation of the system. Registration in RENTRI will be mandatory, but will be introduced gradually to allow companies and institutions to adapt.

RENTRI Registration Deadlines

The decree provides for a transitional period and a gradual entry into force, with deadlines differentiated based on the type and size of the company. Here are the main dates:

1. First Phase – 15th June 2024 :
   • The following must register by this date:
     • Companies that employ more than 50 workers and produce hazardous waste .
     • The entities and companies registered in the National Register of Environmental Managers in the categories:
       • Collection and transportation of hazardous waste.
       • Trade and intermediation of hazardous waste.
       • Management of waste treatment, recovery, disposal, remediation or storage facilities.
2. Second Phase – 15th December 2024
   • The following must register by this date:
     • Companies that employ between 11 and 50 people and produce hazardous waste .
     • Entities and companies registered in the National Register of Environmental Managers that deal with the transport of non-hazardous waste produced by third parties.
3. Third Phase – 15th June 2025 :
   • The following must register by this date:
     • Businesses with fewer than 10 employees that produce hazardous waste .
     • Other obliged entities not included in the previous phases.

How to register

• Registration takes place via the RENTRI online platform, accessible from the official website of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security.
• An annual contribution must be paid, the amount of which varies based on the size of the company and the type of activity carried out.

Costs

Registration for RENTRI involves some costs that vary based on different factors, such as the type of activity and the size of the company. Here is an overview of the main costs associated with registration and management of RENTRI:

• registration fee : to register with RENTRI, an annual fee is required. The amount of the fee may vary based on the size of the company and the type of waste managed. The specific rates are established by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security.
• possible exemptions : in some circumstances, exemptions or reductions in fees may be available for small businesses or for specific categories of individuals, depending on regional or national regulations.

The costs of registering for RENTRI have been defined by Ministerial Decree 59/2023 and include two main components: an annual secretarial fee and an annual contribution to cover the operating costs of the system. The amounts vary based on the type and size of the company:

• Annual secretarial fee: from €10 to €25.
• Annual contribution: from €10 to €120.
• Costs for transporters and waste managers: between €50 and €200.

Payment will be made via the PagoPA platform.

Main obligations for companies

Once registered with RENTRI, companies, both those producing hazardous and non-hazardous waste, have a series of obligations and responsibilities to respect to ensure correct waste management and in particular:

1. Keeping the loading and unloading register

• Registration requirement : companies must maintain a waste loading and unloading register , in which they note:
  • the quantity and type of waste produced,
  • the management methods (transport, recovery or disposal),
  • the dates of the operations.
• Conservation : the register must be kept for at least 5 years and must be available for any checks by the competent authorities.

2. Filling in the waste identification form (FIR)

• Use of the FIR : each movement of waste must be accompanied by a FIR , which certifies:
  • the origin of the refusal,
  • the chemical-physical characteristics,
  • the carrier in charge,
  • the final destination (recovery or disposal facility).
• Retention requirement : You must keep a copy of the FIR for at least 5 years .

3. Waste classification

• Classification : waste must be classified according to the European Waste Catalogue , assigning the appropriate Catalogue code and verifying whether the waste presents hazardous characteristics (HP1 to HP15).
• Chemical analysis : in case of doubts about the classification, chemical analysis must be carried out to determine the characteristics of the waste.

4. Waste management

• Management responsibility : companies are responsible for managing their waste up to its final destination, even if they entrust transport or disposal to third parties.
• Verification of operators : it is necessary to verify that transporters and disposal plants are properly authorised and in possession of the necessary authorisations.

5. Communications to the competent authorities

• Reporting of anomalies : In case of anomalies in the waste management or disposal process, it is necessary to promptly inform the competent authorities.
• Information updates : any significant changes (for example, changes in the type of waste managed or in the structure of the company) must be communicated promptly to RENTRI.

6. Staff training and awareness

• Internal training : it is advisable to train personnel involved in waste management on current regulations and internal procedures to ensure correct management of materials.
• Environmental awareness : promote a corporate culture oriented towards sustainability and waste reduction.

7. Control and monitoring

• Internal Audits : It is advisable to conduct periodic internal audits to verify compliance with regulations and the effectiveness of the procedures adopted.
• Updating procedures : company procedures will need to be updated based on regulatory developments and best practices in the waste management sector.

Sanctions

Companies that do not comply with the RENTRI obligations may incur administrative or criminal sanctions, governed by Legislative Decree 152/2006 (Consolidated Environmental Law) and subsequent regulations.

Administrative sanctions

• Fines ranging from €1,000 to €26,000 for less serious violations.
• Higher fines : For more serious violations, such as illegal waste disposal or trafficking, fines can reach up to €93,000 .

Criminal sanctions

• Arrest : In extreme cases, such as illegal waste trafficking or unauthorized disposal, prison sentences of up to 2 years may be applied .
• Confiscation of vehicles : vehicles used for the illegal transportation or disposal of waste may be confiscated.

Examples of punishable violations

• Failure to register with RENTRI: failure to register within the required timeframe.
• Failure to complete the loading and unloading register: failure to keep the registers of waste produced and managed up to date.
• Non-compliant use of the FIR: failure to use the Waste Identification Form correctly for waste movements.
• Illegal disposal: entrusting waste to unauthorized parties or disposing of it in a manner that does not comply with regulations.

Extension: Milleproroghe Decree

Article 11 of the Milleproroghe Decree 2025 provides for a 60-day extension for registration in Rentri, thus postponing the original deadline of 13th February to 14th April 2025. This extension concerns entities or companies that are initial producers of hazardous and non-hazardous special waste with more than 50 employees, as well as all other entities other than initial producers, including delegated entities. However, it is necessary for the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security to issue the conversion law within thirty days or by 27th March 2025.

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