India in Prohibition Category for Metal Scrap Export from EU, Only Non-EU
Countries in Free List
·
The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) highlighted
major changes in global trade rules governing recycled steel and other recycled
materials.
·
The European Commission has published a draft list
of non-OECD countries that may continue receiving certain non-hazardous waste
exports from the EU under revised Waste Shipment Regulations.
·
From 21 May 2027, exports of covered waste streams
to non-OECD countries will be prohibited unless both:
o
The destination country, and
o
The specific waste stream are
included on the EU's authorized list.
·
The proposal has raised concerns within the recycling industry
because only a few countries are currently proposed for authorization to receive
certain metal waste streams:
o
Moldova
o
Montenegro
o
North Macedonia
o
Serbia
o
Ukraine
·
India, Egypt, and Morocco are among the
countries not proposed for authorization to receive metal waste, despite
being important destinations for recycled steel.
·
The distinction is significant because inclusion on the
draft list for other materials does not automatically permit imports of recycled
steel.
·
BIR warns that the proposed restrictions could:
o
Disrupt established global supply chains.
o
Affect steelmakers dependent on high-quality recycled steel.
o
Impact recycling investments and low-carbon steel production.
·
Egypt is cited as a major importer, having received 1.86
million tonnes of EU-27 recycled steel exports in 2025.
·
BIR is preparing a collective industry response and has
urged members to provide evidence before the EU consultation deadline to highlight
the practical effects of the proposed regulations.
·
Looking ahead, BIR expects Africa to become an increasingly
important market for recycled steel, supported by:
o
Growing steel production.
o
Infrastructure investment.
o
Rising demand for recycled materials.
·
However, the report notes that Africa is not a single market,
and opportunities vary widely across countries due to differences in:
o
Demand,
o
Port infrastructure,
o
Financing,
o
Industrial policies,
o
Processing capabilities.
[ABS News Service/08.10.2026]
It gives me great pleasure
to welcome you to this Málaga Convention edition of the BIR Ferrous Division’s Mirror
report. Our industry faces a significant change in the rules governing international
trade in recycled materials, while new steelmaking opportunities are developing
across Africa. Both subjects will be central to our discussions in Málaga.
On September 18, the
European Commission published its draft list of non-OECD countries that may continue to receive specified
non-hazardous waste streams from the EU under the revised Waste Shipment Regulation.
From May 21 2027, exports covered by this system to a non-OECD destination will
be prohibited unless that country and the particular waste stream are included on
the authorised list. This is a draft open to consultation until October 16, and the final country and waste stream
authorisations have yet to be decided.
The proposed treatment
of metals is a serious concern for our members. Of the countries that applied
to receive metal waste, only Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and
Ukraine are proposed for authorisation for certain metal streams. India,
Egypt and Morocco, among other applicants, are not proposed for authorisation
to receive metals, even though they may appear on the draft list for other materials.
The distinction matters: a country’s inclusion is not a blanket permission to
import recycled steel.
These proposals could
have far-reaching consequences for established supply chains and for steelmakers
that rely on access to quality recycled material. Egypt, for example, received
1.86 million tonnes of the EU-27’s recycled steel exports in 2025, according to
our latest World Steel Recycling in Figures. Environmental safeguards and sound
recovery practices are essential. Equally, any decisions affecting trade should
reflect the evidence of how material is processed and used, and the implications
for recycling, investment and lower-carbon steelmaking.
BIR is preparing a consolidated
response to the Commission, and is working with Recycling Europe and the relevant
authorities. I encourage members to check the draft annex against their destinations
and material codes, and to share practical evidence with BIR by October 12, ahead
of the public consultation deadline on October 16. This is an important opportunity
to explain the real-world effects of the proposed list and to correct any factual
gaps before the Commission adopts its first list.
Our Ferrous Division
plenary session in Málaga on Tuesday October 27 (13.30 to 15.00) will focus
on emerging recycled steel markets, particularly trade developments across Africa.
The continent cannot be understood as a single market: demand, port capacity, access
to finance, suitable material grades and national industrial policies vary widely.
Yet rising investment in steel production and infrastructure points to a growing
role for recycled steel, provided that collection, processing and trade channels
can develop alongside demand.