New Management & Regulation of Hazardous Waste in Costa Rica

Our team in Costa Rica, experts in Environmental Law, share this article on the framework of International Recycling Day. 

Costa Rica has taken a major step toward simplifying and improving the way it handles hazardous waste: it has eliminated the mandatory use of the Hazardous Waste Management System (SIGREP). This decision was made official through Resolution R-158-2025-MINAE, published in the official newspaper La Gaceta on April 24, 2025. 

From now on, procedures related to hazardous waste will no longer be carried out through this electronic platform. Instead, companies must complete a physical form called the "Hazardous Waste Transportation Manifest,” sign it, and send it via email to the Environmental Comptroller’s Office, with a copy to the waste manager authorized by the Ministry of Health. 

The main goal of this change is to eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy and streamline compliance with environmental regulations. According to the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), SIGREP was being used beyond its legal scope, acting as an approval tool that caused delays and created hurdles for companies without legal grounds. 

Removing SIGREP does not mean companies are off the hook from their environmental obligations. Businesses that generate hazardous waste must still comply with all legal requirements: create a waste management plan, properly store and label hazardous materials, deliver waste to authorized managers, and submit biannual reports on the amount, type, and final destination of the waste. 

There is also a continuing obligation to conduct technical assessments to identify hazardous waste, even when mixed or not explicitly listed in regulations. Failing to comply can lead to financial, administrative, or even criminal penalties. 

This decision is part of a broader effort by the government to ensure that procedures are faster, clearer, and legally sound. The Ministry noted that SIGREP was duplicating processes and causing inefficiencies. It also reminded the public that the Environmental Comptroller does not have the authority to approve or authorize procedures, its role is limited to monitoring, tracking, and collecting information. 

This change aligns with the principles of legality, efficiency, and simplification that should guide public administration. It also strengthens traceability and oversight of hazardous waste management through valid and streamlined means such as email and paper forms. 

As a signatory to the Basel Convention, Costa Rica remains committed to the safe handling of hazardous waste and to protecting public health and the environment. Coordination between the Ministry of Health and MINAE continues to be essential to ensure proper implementation of environmental policies. 

In the context of World Recycling Day, celebrated every May 17, this measure reaffirms Costa Rica’s commitment to sustainable development, institutional modernization, and environmental protection. The removal of SIGREP is not just a technical change, it’s a step toward a more transparent, agile, and legally compliant system. 

In a dynamic regulatory environment, having effective legal monitoring mechanisms is essential for any organization committed to compliance. 

We invite you to learn more about our legislation matrix service, a specialized tool from ARIAS’ ESG team, which offers: 

The information provided by ARIAS® is presented for informational purposes only. This information is not legal advice and is not intended to create, and does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. Readers should not act upon this information without seeking advice from professional advisers.