Indian recyclers seek government intervention over EU metal waste ban

INDIA – A group representing small and mid-sized Indian recyclers has sought government intervention after the European Commission proposed barring India from importing EU metal waste under rules due to take effect in May 2027.

The Material Recycling Association of India sent a letter to the federal trade ministry on Wednesday, arguing that disruption of established supply chains would directly affect Indian recyclers, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises, and could increase raw-material costs and India’s dependence on virgin metal resources. 

India’s federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in response late on Wednesday that it remains engaged with the EU side on the matter.

India Sources a Quarter of Metal Scrap Imports from EU

India, a major global scrap buyer, sources about a quarter of its metal scrap imports from the EU, industry estimates show. 

In 2025/26, India imported around 20 percent of aluminium scrap from the EU, 22 percent of copper and copper alloy scrap, 20 percent of lead scrap and 40 percent of zinc scrap, according to MRAI data. 

These figures underscore the scale of potential disruption if the EU’s proposed exclusion takes effect, given that India’s secondary metal industry relies heavily on imported scrap to supplement limited domestic collection.

Commission Cites Heavy Metal Contamination Concerns

The European Commission proposed barring India from importing EU metal waste on September 18, stating that metal waste warrants stricter controls because it may contain persistent and toxic heavy metals including lead, mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium. 

The Commission’s draft, published under the revised Waste Shipment Regulation, would prohibit exports of non-hazardous waste to non-OECD countries from May 21, 2027, unless destinations demonstrate they can manage the material in an environmentally sound manner.

Association Calls Proposal Resource Protectionism

MRAI argued in its letter that India has an extensive environmental regulatory framework governing metal recycling and processing facilities. 

Calling the EU proposal resource protectionism, the association said scrap had become strategically important to Europe’s metals industry and urged zero-duty scrap imports under the India-EU trade deal expected this year. 

The proposal remains open for feedback until October 16, with adoption planned for the fourth quarter of 2026.

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