BIR seeks to reduce trade barriers on scrap and recycling equipment among WTO countries

The Brussels-based recycling association Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) reports that 13 members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the European Union (EU) are taking part in discussions in Geneva toward the possible creation of an Environmental Services and Goods Agreement relating to secondary raw materials and machinery and equipment used by recycling companies. 

 

If achieved, the BIR says, the agreement could lead to a reduction or elimination of tariffs and nontariff barriers on machinery and equipment that is necessary for optimising the sorting and processing of scrap into secondary raw materials. Furthermore, if passed, the agreement would help improve industrial competitiveness through improved access to secondary raw materials.

 

The BIR reports that many members of the WTO currently impose an inefficient mix of tariffs and non-tariff barriers on the trade in both secondary raw materials and in machinery and equipment used by the recycling industries around the world. 

 

“Reducing or eliminating those tariffs and nontariff barriers would bring benefit to the global environment, boosting the circular economy on a global scale, improving resource efficiency and minimising waste and unwanted emissions to air, land and water,” comments BIR Environmental & Technical Director Ross Bartley regarding ongoing discussions at the WTO in Geneva.

 

The BIR says the 13 countries and the EU together comprise 86 percent of global trade in environmental goods. The 13 countries involved in the discussions are Australia, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Costa Rica, Hong Kong China, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland and the United States.

 

“BIR, the world federation of the recycling industries, encourages its affiliated national associations and companies to promote to each of their WTO negotiators that secondary raw materials, as well as machinery and equipment used by the recycling industries, are added to the WTO list of environmental goods,” Bartley says.