The Materials Recycling Association of India (MRAI) has asked the government to intervene in the European Union (EU) proposal to restrict the export of metal waste to India from May 2027, the association said in a statement released on Wednesday, September 30.
The European Commission has proposed to exclude India from the list of countries eligible to receive EU metal waste under the new rules, citing concerns about the potential presence of persistent and toxic heavy metals in such waste.
In response to an inquiry from MRAI, the Indian Ministry of Commerce stated that it is still cooperating with the EU on this issue.
In his communication with the government, the MRAI government said that India has an extensive regulatory framework governing the activities of metal recycling enterprises. In it, the EU proposal was called "resource protectionism" and stated that scrap metal had become strategically important for the European Steel industry.
MRAI also called on the Indian government to impose zero duties on scrap metal imports as part of the proposed free trade agreement between India and the EU.
Sanjay Mehta, president of MRAI, said that India's exclusion from the EU's proposed authorized list of steel waste is of serious concern to both Indian and European processors, given the country's importance as a destination for European scrap.
He stated that MRAI is currently looking for a solution in cooperation with the government. The Association plans to consult with industry stakeholders and submit an official application, which is scheduled for October. 15.
One of the proposals to be discussed is the introduction of a separate HS code for recycled secondary raw materials (the "final product").from the "waste" category). The idea is to draw a clear distinction between ordinary waste and high-quality recycled scrap or recycled raw materials that meet certain technical requirements. This approach can ensure a continuous flow of high-quality raw materials to India.
The new EU Waste Transportation Regulations (WSR) will enter into force in May 2027. Countries that still wish to import safe waste in accordance with this framework should notify the European Commission and confirm that waste management will be carried out in an environmentally sound manner. The first list of approved countries is expected to be submitted by the end of this year.
The draft currently prohibits the export of scrap metal to India, although it is not yet final.
India imported about 8.45 million tons of scrap metal. Last year, about 0.79 million tons of ferrous metal and stainless steel scrap were received, of which about 0.79 million tons came from the EU.
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