BIR Adopts Revised Statutes and Bylaws in Brussels

Changes are designed to enhance the role of arbitration and role of commodity divisions.

Revised statutes and bylaws of the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) were unanimously approved during the General Assembly of the BIR International Recycling Convention Oct. 25 in Brussels. The revisions, while voted on unanimously at the organization’s spring convention in Istanbul did not pass because of the lack of a quorum. Going forward the assembly will be able to vote irrespective of a quorum.

Alain Costantini, partner, Bird & Bird LLP explained how the revisions would enhance the organization’s role of arbitration, clarify the role of the commodity divisions and make sure that the BIR is in accordance with Belgian law and in line with best practices of trade associations based in Brussels, the association’s headquarters.
In addition, all effective members will have the right to scrutinize membership applications on the BIR website and to confidentially comment on them to the Brussels Secretariat. New amendments that take effect immediately include the provisions that suspension of members is decided by the Executive Committee and expulsion of members is proposed by the Executive Committee and decided by the General Assembly.