BIR takes action following Italian decree affecting scrap exports

The Bureau of International Recycling has officially approached the European Commission and the Italian Environment Minister after having been informed of far-reaching amendments to the Italian waste shipment regulation. The decree, which adds new requirements to the previous regulation, seriously affects shipments of recyclables from Italy, including ferrous and non-ferrous metals scrap, to countries outside the EU.

According to the decree dated 4 April 2012, each international waste shipment must now be accompanied by a certificate issued by the authorities in the destination country confirming that the environmental standards applicable in that country are comparable to those prescribed in the EU.

In its letter to the EU Commission, BIR expresses strong concern that the amended Italian legislation differs from the EU regulation 2006 on waste shipments which is applicable in all EU member states and which should be enforced in the same manner everywhere in the European Union.

BIR also wrote to the Italian Environment Minister Mr Corrado Cini, highlighting the devastating effect of this legislation on Italian operators, while jeopardizing the supply of steelworks, non-ferrous metals smelters, foundries and paper mills around the globe.

A representative of the Italian BIR member federation ASSOFERMET states:”The requirements of the decree not only conflict with the current EU legislation but are also completely unrealistic and impracticable. There is no indication of methods for obtaining such a certificate or a list of authorities entitled to issue such a declaration. Moreover, the decree does not specify any criteria for determining whether standards of the importing country are comparable to those of the exporting country.”

BIR will continue to monitor this issue and take action as appropriate.