The Regulatory Authority for Energy, Waste and Water (RAAEY) was established as an independent regulatory authority, which was established by Law 2773/1999, in order to be aligned with Directives 2003/54/EC and 2003/55/EC on electricity and natural gas, having the supervision of the domestic energy market as its main responsibility, while making recommendations to the competent State bodies and taking measures to achieve the goal of liberalizing the electricity and natural gas markets.

By virtue of Law 5037/2023, the Authority was renamed as Regulatory Authority for Energy, Waste and Water (RAAEY) and its scope is expanded with responsibilities over Water services and Municipal Waste management. Specifically, the Authority’s responsibilities are defined in the amended article 4 of Law 4001/2011: ‘’The control, regulation and supervision of the energy market, as well as the control, regulation and supervision of subjects related to the provision of water services and municipal waste management, without prejudice to the competences of the Minister of Environment and Energy, are exercised by the Regulatory Authority of Energy, Waste and Water, which is the national regulatory authority in matters of electricity and natural gas, water services and municipal waste management, within the meaning of Directives (EU) 2019/944 and 2009/73/EC and Laws 3199 /2003 (A’ 280) and 4819/2021 (A’ 129).’’

Regarding the Municipal Waste Management Sector, RAAEY is equipped with the following responsibilities:

• Advisory/Reporting (articles 11, 12 & 16 of the Law 5037/2023)

RAAEY issues recommendations on the costing and pricing methodology for waste management, submits for the rationalization of tariffs, formulates a proposal for a package of measures to ensure the operational functioning of Regional Solid Waste Management Authorities (FODSA), provides a view on the adoption of guidelines and measures for the coordinated management of Municipal Waste.

• Supervisory Responsibilities (article 11 of the Law 5037/2023)

RAAEY monitors the efficient and cost-effective management of Municipal Waste by FODSA, with reference to the specific Waste Management Indicators set out in Annex I of Law 5037/2023.

• Auditing/Sanctioning Responsibilities (articles 17, 18 & 35 of the Law 5037/2023)

RAAEY examines complaints, determines the methodology for the calculation of fines, imposes penalties, issues recommendations, and monitors compliance with the obligation of FODSA to pay the landfill tax.

• Decisive (articles 11 & 12 of the Law 5037/2023)

RAAEY decides the minimum quality standards for Waste Management Services, provides guidelines and instructions on the utilization of energy from waste, monitors the cost – effectiveness of waste management and publishes the relevant cost data on its website, and decides on the management capacity of FODSA.

RAAEY decides on the management capacity of Regional Solid Waste Management regarding:  

(a) administrative, managerial, operational and technical capacity; and

(b) financial sustainability

RAAEY, prepares an annual report assessing the management capacity of the Regional Waste Management Authorities (FODSA – ΦΟΔΣΑ), according to article 3 of the Joint Ministerial Decision (53924/460/2023) (Government Gazette ΦΕΚ Β 3309/18.05.2023).

Article 4 of the aforementioned Joint Ministerial Decision sets out specific criteria for establishing the management capacity of the FODSA, while Article 5 provides the indicators for the fulfilment of the quality criteria for the Waste Management Services delivered. Finally, Article 6 refers to the minimum personnel criteria for FODSA based on the organizational structure.

In order to determine the minimum required criteria of the administrative capacity of the FODSA, the quality of the services provided is taken into account ,which is assessed on the basis of the relevant Regional Waste Management Plan (ΠΕΣΔΑ – Περιφερειακό Σχέδιο Διαχείρισης Αποβλήτων) submitted to RAAEY by the Authorities concerned, in accordance with Annex I of Part A of the Law No. 5037/2023.

Τhe relevant legislative framework is also ,available on the website of the  FODSA Network: as well as on the official website of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy:

 A more detailed report and chronological overview of the basic National Legislation Governing the Waste Management Sector is available here.