Until 1994 the most recent nation-wide Danish waste figures had been those from 1985. They were compiled by regional and local authorities in connection with a nation-wide waste survey. The figures were based, in part, on calculations in the light of waste production per unit (such as households) or per employee and, in part, on questionnaire surveys sent by the local authorities to industries, waste collectors, and waste treatment facilities.

Experience from the compilation of data showed that:

The need to have access to the actual waste figures has increased over the years. The demand for planning in the field of waste has increased steadily. At the same time - in pursuance of Waste Framework Directive 156 (1991) - the EU requires registration of and reporting on waste, including recyclable materials.

A fundamental prerequisite for a nation-wide charting and planning of waste is the use of a uniform terminology within the field of waste and recycling.

It was precisely with the aim of covering the need for accurate and uniform statement of origin, type, quantity and method of disposal that the ISAG was developed. A uniform terminology has also been established by the ISAG, in that the overall concepts have been defined.

Rather than undertaking comprehensive and time-consuming investigations with the producers of waste, the ISAG has been designed as a waste registration system aiming at enterprises dealing in the treatment of waste, including recyclable materials.

The ISAG is defined in more detail in the Statutory Order on Waste dated 21st March 1993. According to sect. 14 of the Order, a number of waste treatment enterprises must keep a register of the type, origin and quantity, etc., of the waste treated and disposed of, including recyclable materials. According to sect. 15 of the Order, some of these enterprises must also register with the Environmental Protection Agency and report their information. The Environmental Protection Agency has received notifications from about 400 facilities which receive waste.

The report must be made once per year not later than 31st January for the preceding calendar year. The report must be made on a computer-readable medium. The first report was made in January 1994, but the report covered only the last six months of 1993.

Principles of the ISAG
The ISAG is based on a matrix structure where various types of data are connected with each other, e.g., data regarding origin, quantity, type of waste, or mode of treatment.

The registration is effected at the waste treatment facilities such as landfill sites, waste incineration plants, composting & biogas facilities, and processing plants.

There are seven compulsory registrations for each truckload of waste received at the treatment facility. Waste leaving the facility is also registered.

1)     Where does the truckload come from (geographical origin)?
2)     Industrial source?
3)     What type of the waste is it?
4)     What is the treatment given to the waste?
5)     What is treated (waste fraction)?
6)     How much is treated?
7)     Registration of the facility where the treatment of the waste goes on.

The system is based on weighed quantities. The ISAG is designed in such a manner that, initially, various more general data on the waste are recorded and reported. If, at a later stage, a need should arise for more detailed information, the system is geared to include these as well.