China import ban: BIR officially requests extension of deadline for comments following China’s notification to WTO and submits summary remarks

Today, 20 July, BIR Director General Arnaud Brunet has addressed an official letter to the World Trade Organisation via the European Commission to request an extension of the deadline for comments in the aforementioned matter so that all stakeholders are given the opportunity to put forward their concerns.

The letter, which was sent to the EU Commission’s DG GROW, states: “BIR has been made aware that China has notified on 18 July 2017, the WTO of its intent to ban the import of certain scrap materials by year end (Notification G/TBT/N/CHN/1211). BIR representing the interests of the recycling Industry at a global level, is respectfully presenting its comments about this notification, to the WTO and the Government of the People’s Republic of China. As a preliminary comment, BIR would like to stress that the 48-hour deadline for commenting the notification is extremely short, as compared to the usual 60-day period. As a result BIR calls for an extension of the delay to meet the standard 60 days period, so that all stakeholders may contribute.”

Furthermore, BIR points out the serious impact such a ban would have on the global recycling industry as well as on the Chinese domestic production relying on recycled materials. Via its communication to WTO, BIR calls upon the Chinese government to reconsider its ban policies and offers to further discuss ways of ensuring high quality standards without adversely affecting the global recycling industry and the Chinese economy.

The letter concludes with the suggestion that BIR closely work with WTO and its working committees to promote free and fair trade globally.