The recycling organisation has requested a four-week extension to the European Commission’s consultation, with a deadline no earlier than 13 November 2026.
The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) has urged the European Commission to reconsider proposed restrictions on exports of recycled metals to major non-OECD markets and extend its consultation period by four weeks. The organisation says additional time would allow affected countries and territories to respond to the Commission’s findings and submit further evidence.
In a statement released in Brussels on 19 October 2026, BIR confirmed that it had submitted its official response to the Commission’s consultation on a draft list of non-OECD countries authorised to import certain non-hazardous waste from the European Union under the Waste Shipment Regulation.
BIR Seeks Review of Proposed Export Restrictions
Under the current proposal, several major non-OECD markets would be excluded as destinations for EU exports of ferrous and non-ferrous recycled metals.
BIR has called for a reassessment of the proposed restrictions, including the evidence and legal reasoning supporting them. It has also requested that the consultation period be extended to at least eight weeks, with a deadline no earlier than 13 November 2026.
According to the organisation, the extension would give affected countries and territories sufficient time to coordinate with ministries, regulators and facilities, address the Commission’s findings and submit supplementary evidence before the final list of authorised destinations is established.
Recycling Supply Chains and Market Access
BIR supports the objective of ensuring that exported materials are managed in an environmentally sound manner. However, it has warned that the proposed restrictions could disrupt established recycling supply chains, distort markets and limit importing countries’ access to recycled metals.
European recyclers already supply most of their recycled metal output to European industry. Nevertheless, international markets remain important when European demand or technically suitable treatment capacity cannot absorb the available grades and volumes.
BIR argues that restricting access to established international markets would not automatically create additional recycling capacity or demand within Europe. Instead, the organisation is concerned that such measures could weaken the economic conditions supporting the collection and recycling of metals, potentially affecting the future availability of recycled materials.
Call for a More Comprehensive Assessment
BIR’s latest submission builds on its official statement issued on 23 September 2026. The organisation has called on the European Commission to ensure that its final assessment fully considers the available evidence and provides affected countries with sufficient time to respond.
The consultation concerns the proposed list of non-OECD destinations authorised to receive certain non-hazardous waste from the EU under the Waste Shipment Regulation. The final decision could have implications for international trade in recycled metals and established recycling supply chains.