PREPARING FOR CHANGES IN CHINA
BIR members who trade commodities internationally await details from Chinese authorities on new requirements concerning registration of overseas companies shipping scrap to China.
Reportedly, only companies registered as "supply enterprises" will be allowed to export scrap and other recyclables to China starting July 1.
Applicants for this designation must fulfill a range of criteria and provisionally register with the Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China (AQSIQ).
The new registration process, which was officially announced in AQSIQ note Number 115 Dec. 15, 2003, is intended to strengthen supervision of scrap and waste exports.
"Considering that there is still no clear legal distinction between processed and unprocessed waste (S.R.M), and in view of some recent scandals involving unscrupulous waste management operators exporting household waste to developing countries, BIR can only support measures aiming at tighter controls," a BIR news release declares.
However, legitimate scrap shippers want clearer definitions, and the BIR leadership hopes to help provide good standing for its members.
"BIR is negotiating with Chinese authorities to obtain special conditions for all BIR members if they can prove that they are officially registered with their national/environmental authorities and that they meet the required quality criteria."
A WASTE OF EFFORT
The BIR is protesting a perceived increase in incidences of developed nations exporting solid waste to less developed countries.
Citing reports from the Belgian newspaper Le Soir, the BIR notes that 56 containers of household wastes, which reportedly contained a mixture of potentially recyclable paper and containers, were stopped at docks in Antwerp.
"The separation stage must take place as close as possible to where these household or packaging [materials] are collected," the BIR says. In light of the food residue remaining in such packaging, "health and environmental issues will probably arise when exporting such mixed materials," BIR says in a release.
Explore the April 2004 Issue
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