EU proposes banning metal scrap exports to India and Egypt — Politico Europe
In Brussels, Belgium, the European Commission has proposed banning exports of metal scrap from the EU to India and Egypt. Both countries failed to confirm that they handle such waste in an environmentally sound manner, Politico Europe reports.
Reason for the restrictions
According to the European Commission’s assessment, India and Egypt have not demonstrated adequate pollution controls during the processing of metal waste. Both countries are among the largest buyers of European recyclable materials.
The EU Waste Shipment Regulation provides that from May next year, the bloc will ban exports of non-hazardous waste to countries outside the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Exceptions are possible for states granted special exemptions from this ban.
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Trade volumes and procedure
In 2025, the European Union exported nearly 19 million tonnes of metal scrap, accounting for more than half of the bloc’s total exports of recyclable materials. Egypt purchased more than 1.3 million tonnes, while India bought 850,000 tonnes of metal scrap.
Earlier this month, the European Commission withdrew planned export duties on aluminium scrap due to concerns related to the EU’s trade agreement with India. Europe’s aluminium sector had insisted on priority access to local scrap. European Commissioner for Industry Stéphane Séjourné said that the EU would seek a solution fully independent of trade policy instruments.
India and Egypt will still be able to receive other types of recyclable materials from the EU, including paper, wood, rubber and textile waste. The European Commission will consult on the proposed exemptions for countries until October 16, and the final list is expected to be adopted in November.
