EU’s Recycling Regulation Sparks Concerns Over Global Scrap Exports

The European Commission (EC) has confirmed that 24 countries have applied to continue accepting recycled materials from the EU beyond the May 2027 deadline. The new EU regulation, which targets scrap materials like steel, aluminum, and copper, is designed to tighten control over exports. However, the absence of major players like China and Hong Kong has raised concerns in the recycling industry.

Key Countries Apply to Continue Imports, but Major Markets Are Missing

The EC’s deadline requires non-OECD countries to submit applications to continue receiving “non-hazardous waste” materials, including metals. While many of the EU’s larger scrap recipients—such as India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam—are on the list, notable exceptions like China and Hong Kong remain absent.

These countries are key players in the recycling market. Their lack of inclusion creates uncertainty for global supply chains. The EC’s new rules will impact trade with non-OECD countries, which are often major destinations for EU scrap. The regulation’s split between OECD and non-OECD nations could cause logistical and economic issues for recyclers worldwide.

The EU’s Waste Shipments Regulation will also impose a ban on plastic scrap exports by 2026, adding complexity to global recycling operations. Although the EU promotes this regulation as an effort to advance the circular economy, many recycling groups, including BIR and EuRIC, warn that these rules could disrupt trade and impact the recycling industry.

BIR Urges Action as Deadlines Approach

The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) has urged non-OECD countries, including China, to submit their applications as soon as possible. Late submissions may not make it onto the first list, which the EC plans to release in November 2026. This uncertainty leaves recyclers in a tough spot, unsure of whether their materials will continue to flow to these markets.

BIR also expressed concerns about the regulation’s potential effects on business operations. As plastic scrap faces a complete ban in 2026, recyclers worry about possible disruptions to supply chains. BIR has also engaged with EU policymakers to discuss the broader impacts of the regulation on international recycling efforts.

What’s Next for Global Recycling?

The BIR continues to call for more transparency in the process. It has requested the EC to reveal which materials each applicant country plans to accept. This would help recyclers plan and adjust to the changing export environment. With the EC’s final list expected in late 2026, the industry is bracing for potential disruptions, especially as major global players like China remain in limbo.