(Washington, DC) – In
response to China’s notification to 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, the Institute of Scrap Recycling
Industries (ISRI) released the following statement:
“China’s proposed ‘carried waste’ thresholds that, like
their earlier proposals, are not in line with standards followed globally by
the recycling community and our industrial consumers,” said Robin Wiener,
president of ISRI. “Although ISRI is heartened that the new proposal moves away
from the 0.3% threshold, the new levels are still of great concern. ISRI
is reviewing the documents carefully and will submit comments through the WTO
and directly to the Chinese Government.”
The proposed standards would apply to shipments arriving on
or after March 1, 2018.
Smelt
Slag
0.5
Wood
0.5
Paper
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
As the Voice
of the Recycling IndustryTM, ISRI will be submitting
comments in response to China’s proposal to the WTO by the December 15 deadline.
It is part of ISRI’s ongoing response to China’s change in scrap import
policies. Since earlier this year, ISRI has been working in close coordination
with the U.S. Government, including the White House, U.S. Department of
Commerce, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the U.S. Embassy in Beijing,
and members of Congress. In addition, ISRI has engaged with the Chinese
Government through its Embassy in Washington, which has requested ISRI’s
support to advise on best business practices in the recycling industry. ISRI
staff has also traveled to China on multiple occasions, with additional trips
planned in the near future to continue to discuss the issue with officials and
industry leaders.
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