The Chinese government has notified the World Trade Organization of its intent to adopt new standards for the allowable contaminants thresholds for scrap imports. The new threshold proposal would apply beginning March 1, 2018.
Additional Details:
Yesterday, the Government of China notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of its intent to adopt Environmental Protection Control Standards for Imported Solid Wastes as Raw Materials (GB 16487.2-13), the standards that set the allowable contaminants thresholds for scrap imports. A previous set of draft standards had been published in August (though not notified to the trade body) that proposed 0.3% "carried wastes" across all commodities. This week, China proposed that the following would apply beginning March 1, 2018:
Smelt Slag 0.5
Wood 0.5
Ferrous 0.5
Nonferrous 1.0
Electric Motors 0.5
Wires and Cables 0.5
Metal and Appliances 0.5
Vessels 0.05
Plastic 0.5
Autos 0.3
Although ISRI is pleased to see that there has been movement away from the 0.3% thresholds, the new proposed threshold levels are still of great concern. Comments can be submitted to the WTO by December 15, and ISRI plans to do so in alignment with the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) and peer organizations around the world to ensure our industry's positions are heard and understood. Members are also welcome to send comments (please contact us to find out how) and to provide input to ISRI's comments.
WTO Notices (in English)
Proposed Standards