The European Recycling Industries’ Confederation (EuRIC) has raised urgent concerns about the EU Waste Shipment Regulation (WSR) 1157/2024, warning that its implementation threatens to severely impact global recycling markets and place European recyclers at a competitive disadvantage. EuRIC is calling for an immediate extension of the regulation’s deadlines to allow non-OECD countries sufficient time to comply, thereby mitigating potentially disastrous consequences for international trade in recycled materials and the EU recycling industry.
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Compliance Challenges for Non-OECD Countries
Under the new regulation, non-OECD countries should have submitted a formal request by February 21, 2025, to continue importing recycled materials classified as waste under Annex VIII of the WSR. EuRIC urges non-OECD countries having failed to submit their notification on time to do so. If no request is submitted, a ban on exports from the EU to these nearly 150 countries will be enforced, starting May 21, 2027.
Despite ongoing efforts to facilitate compliance, EuRIC warns that many non-OECD nations are unprepared for the extensive administrative requirements involved. The new procedures demand large volumes of data and detailed responses, placing a significant burden on these countries’ regulatory bodies. Moreover, European authorities have provided inadequate outreach to affected nations, leaving them uninformed about the economic impact of the regulation on global recycling trade and material supply chains.
Without urgent intervention, EuRIC warns that this lack of clarity and preparation could destabilize existing trade agreements, disrupt recycling markets, and force recyclers to landfill materials that would otherwise be processed.
Proposed Measures for a Smooth Transition
To address these pressing challenges and safeguard the EU recycling industry’s competitiveness, EuRIC is urging the European Commission to adopt the following key measures:
- Apply flexibility to the February 21, 2025 deadline or extend it by at least six months.
- Postpone the enforcement of the 2027 export restrictions, allowing businesses more time to adjust and maintain supply chain stability.
- Strengthen engagement with third countries to ensure the continuity of recycled material markets and protect the European recycling sector.
- Increase transparency by publishing and maintaining an up-to-date list of non-OECD countries that have submitted requests under Annex VIII.
- Establish an ongoing dialogue with third countries to identify and mitigate potential trade barriers before they cause disruptions.
Call for Immediate Action
EuRIC emphasizes the urgency of extending the WSR deadlines to prevent a collapse in the international trade of recycled materials. The organization urges the European Commission and EU legislators to take swift action, ensuring that recyclers and their global partners have enough time to transition to the new regulatory framework. As the confederation mentions, a well-structured and adaptable transition is crucial to preserving international recycling markets and protecting the long-term viability of the European recycling industry.
