What is RENTRI and why is it important?

On 13 February 2026, RENTRI (the National Electronic Register for Waste Traceability) will become fully operational. This digital system will gradually replace the traditional paper-based tools used to manage FIRs and loading and unloading registers.

This regulatory change marks a turning point in environmental and document management for companies that produce, transport or treat special and hazardous waste, introducing new operating rules and digital obligations.

RENTRI was established to digitise waste traceability, simplifying documentation and improving transparency throughout the supply chain: from the producer to the transporter to the final recipient.

With its full implementation, FIRs, registers and communications will no longer be managed on paper, but entirely in digital format via the official portal or integrated management systems.

Operational changes effective from 13 February 2026

1. Digital FIR requirement: from this date onwards, all parties required to use RENTRI must issue and manage the Waste Identification Form (FIR) exclusively in digital format (xFIR). The old paper form will no longer be valid for hazardous waste and, with certain exceptions, for non-hazardous waste as well.
2. Electronic data transmission: data relating to waste produced, transported and treated must be transmitted in real time to the RENTRI system. This improves traceability and facilitates compliance checks by the competent authorities.
3. Digital loading and unloading registers: loading and unloading registers must also be managed electronically, via the portal or compatible software, with digital storage in accordance with the law.

Who must comply and when

The obligation to register with RENTRI and use digital services has been developed in stages, but 13 February 2026 is the final deadline for all categories of businesses concerned to complete the transition, including those with fewer than 10 employees that produce hazardous waste.

Some categories of producers who are not required to register may continue to use paper forms only for non-hazardous waste until internal compliance is complete, but they remain exempt from digital data transmission.

Practical impacts for businesses

The adoption of the fully operational RENTRI requires:

• the adaptation of IT systems to generate, manage and archive FIRs and digital registers;
• the updating of internal procedures, with clearly defined roles and responsibilities;
• the training of personnel involved in environmental and logistics activities.

In the operational field, for example, the digital FIR can be completed and validated online or via an app, digitally signed by the producer and transporter before handling, and then also communicated by the destin

Conclusion

13 February 2026 represents a point of no return for the digitisation of waste traceability in Italy. For companies, this means moving from traditional paper-based management to standardised and integrated digital processes, with benefits in terms of transparency, control and regulatory compliance.

Complying in time not only avoids penalties, but can also become an operational advantage in a context where sustainability and responsible waste management are increasingly central to corporate strategies.