Waste Shipment Regulation Revision - Metals industry joint paper

Europe’s ferrous and non-ferrous metals sectors call on the European Parliament’s Environment Committee to fully address the environmental, health and safety and social impacts of EU waste exports through the Waste Shipments Regulation review. To fulfil the EU’s Green Deal and industrial objectives, EXTRA-EU exported waste should be treated to equivalent standards and techniques as in Europe, regardless of their OECD or non-OECD status.

The revision of the EU Waste Shipment Regulation is a fundamental element of the European Green Deal and the New Circular Economy Action Plan. By facilitating intra-EU shipments of waste, it should foster the effective and efficient reuse and recycling of secondary raw materials in the EU. Furthermore, by securing stricter and more effective control of waste exports to third countries, it should also ensure that the EU does not export its waste challenges to third countries, guaranteeing that exports of EU waste won't result in adverse impacts on the environment, human health or social conditions elsewhere.