BIR CONVENTION: Upon closer inspection

Recyclers who ship scrap metal to India were able to discuss breaking news, as that nation’s government released the newest version of its container inspection regimen while the industry was gathered at the 2015 Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) World Recycling Convention in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in May.

India’s Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) distributed a 10-page document with revisions to its imported scrap metal inspection regimen on Monday, May 18, the day before the BIR’s International Trade Council met in session.

At the BIR session, three officers of the Metal Recycling Association of India (MRAI)—Ikbal Nathani, Sanjay Mehta and Dhawal Shah—provided their perspectives on the revisions. According to the trio, among the biggest changes is that the DGFT has dropped its requirement that shippers email a video clip of the loading process, allowing emailed photo images as an alternative.

The DGFT also is requiring all current preshipment inspection agencies (PSIAs) to reapply for registration and has distributed the new application form. Nathani said the DGFT found the reapplication process necessary after discovering that one-third of current PSIAs may be “bogus” and not attached to any current mailing address or office.

Those applying for PSIA status will need to do so by June 8, 2015, to meet the July 1, 2015, deadline for the new procedures.

Nathani said some 10 Indian government ministries and agencies have been involved in creating the new system, with the foremost concerns tied to preventing radioactive scrap and live munitions from entering the country.

The 10-page DGFT document, titled “Public Notice No. 12/2015-20,” can be found on the DGFT website here.

Nathani warned recyclers present “you have about 20 days” to ensure they take the steps necessary to keep the current PSIA arrangements they have in place by re-applying.

He also said that the DGFT PSIA process is intended to apply to operators of physical scrap yards, not traders. Nathani also noted that the current PSIA application form includes a section where recyclers can note their membership in the BIR, the MRAI and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI).

ISRI President Robin Weiner thanked the MRAI for its efforts in communicating with the DGFT and with recyclers around the world, and urged the MRAI to next seek an exemption to the PSIA procedures for shredded scrap, which is unlikely to include live ammunition and also has passed through radiation detectors before entering the shredder yard.

At the same session, the BIR’s Ross Bartley provided an update on global scrap export restrictions, saying “the number of such restrictions is growing” and listing 30 nations that regulate ferrous scrap exports.

When government agencies are asked why the restrictions are in place, the protection of domestic industries and addressing economic conditions are the most common answers (a combined 59 percent), said Bartley, followed by “preventing illegal activities” at 20 percent.

The 2015 BIR World Recycling Convention was May 17-20 at the InterContinental Festival City