BIR expresses concern over potential EU measure to address aluminum scrap ‘leakage’

The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), Brussels, has expressed concern regarding the announcement European Commission Executive Vice-President for Trade Maroš Šefčovič made during his speech to a European aluminum producers trade association the week of Nov. 17. His announcement pertained to the launch of preparatory work on a new trade measure targeting recycled aluminium exports from the European Union, with the formal proposal expected in spring 2026.

The measure is intended to address the issue of "aluminium scrap leakage” and secure access for European industry to this strategically important material at competitive prices, according to the European Commission.

However, data from the commission’s own monitoring mechanism on imports and exports of recycled materials show no evidence supporting claims of “scrap leakage,” the BIR says, making it a misleading basis for future policy decisions.

While BIR says it welcomes clearly recognizing recycled aluminium as a strategic material essential to Europe’s circular economy and decarbonization goals, the association stresses the global recycling industry is a vital contributor to the availability of this key raw material and its functioning relies on open, predictable and fair access to international markets.

BIR has made a number of recommendations for new trade measures, including that they be evidence-based, reflecting actual market conditions rather than assumptions; proportionate, avoiding unintended consequences for downstream users and recycling operators; balanced, taking into account the interests of all actors in the value chain; and globally coherent, ensuring that the EU does not undermine international recycling flows that depend on Europe’s surplus of high-quality recycled materials.

The association is calling on the European Commission to uphold its stated commitment to “take into account the interests of all actors” as this initiative unfolds, adding that it will advocate on behalf of the recycling industry, support its members throughout the process and participate fully in the forthcoming public consultation and call for evidence scheduled for later this year.

BIR says it is ready to offer its expertise, data and global perspective to ensure a potential future measure strengthens the circular economy and the global recycling ecosystem rather than weakens it.