The European Commission has proposed major scrap importers India, Pakistan and Bangladesh be prohibited from procuring ferrous scrap from the EU starting 21 May 2027, Kallanish notes.
The Commission included the countries on its draft list of non-OECD countries that could be authorised to import non-hazardous waste from the EU once the Waste Shipment Regulation provision comes into effect next year. However, ferrous scrap was among the materials proposed by the commission not to be included. This stipulation also applies for Egypt and Saudi Arabia, among others.
Authorities have opened an online consultation on the draft list until 16 October.
The Waste Shipment Regulation, adopted in 2024, bans waste exports to non-OECD countries from next May; however, countries can request exemptions, but must demonstrate their capacity to manage waste sustainably.
The first list of countries authorised to receive waste from the EU will be established by the end of 2026. This list will be updated regularly and at least every two years, with the possibility for countries which are not on the list to reapply.
In a staff working document, the European Commission provides its assessment for each country. For ferrous waste, India’s application insufficiently demonstrated that pollution controls apply to treatment operations, the document notes. There is “no comprehensive” regulatory coverage of air emissions reduction for heavy metals, dust, dioxins and furans and PCBs, nor detailed requirements for wastewater treatment stages based on best available techniques.
“The regulatory framework lacks key provisions covering energy efficiency, including requirements for a stable shredder feed, energy efficiency plans, and energy balance records,” the Commission adds.
For Bangladesh ferrous scrap, “the management of residual waste and the incomplete implementation of pollution control measures during treatment raise concern. While Bangladesh has some basic controls in place, the framework does not fully cover key landfill safeguards, site verification and record-keeping requirements, or a comprehensive application of best available techniques. The application also lacks sufficient evidence on technical measures related to emissions control, energy efficiency, material recovery, wastewater management, and the handling and pretreatment of scrap.”
Although Pakistan met a number of requirements, it did not provide key requirements essential for metallurgical treatment: maintaining a stable shredder feed, increasing recovery of secondary materials, ensuring efficient energy use in secondary copper production, or preventing diffuse emissions during scrap pretreatment, the document states.
Egypt did not provide data on the proportion of metal waste that is recycled and referred to a lack of data, although it did indicate it is taking measures to increase the rate of recycled metal waste.
Saudi Arabia’s application did not demonstrate a ban on waste dilution or mixing for treatment residues and a ban on landfilling separately collected waste intended for reuse or recycling, the Commission says. The use of annual compliance testing and of independent laboratories were also not demonstrated. It also did not provide requirements for maintaining a stable shredder feed, implementing energy efficiency plans or energy balance records, controlling scrap quality to minimise pollutants, or preventing and reducing diffuse dust emissions.
Author: Adam Smith Austria
