BIR Questions Italian Scrap Import Regulations

In a press release issued Jan. 18^th, the Bureau of International Recycling expressed puzzlement over a new Italian regulation on the import of scrap metal. According to Assofermet, an Italian metal recycling association, the Italian government is allowing scrap operators to ship both ferrous and non-ferrous scrap into the country as a secondary raw material rather than waste. However, to qualify under the new import policy companies must be registered on a special list on the Italian national register of waste management companies.

According to the BIR, the registration requires that the foreign company apply in writing, together with a compliance certificate of the competent authority of the respective country, which must confirm that the exporting company has indeed processed that waste material in accordance with the Italian technical rules in force for the production of secondary raw materials.

It is however very doubtful that national authorities in foreign countries would be able to provide such a certificate, simply because they are probably completely unaware of the Italian regulations or because they refuse to abide by another country’s rules.

BIR also questions the fact that the regulation only covers ferrous and non ferrous scrap and completely ignores other recyclables.

Assofermet is currently addressing their competent national authority with further legal and technical questions on the decree.