BIR Report

Istanbul to Host 2010 World Recycling Convention

The Swissotel The Bosphorus in Istanbul, one of the world’s historic trading places, hosts the 2010 World Recycling Convention & Exhibition May 31-June 2. According to event organizer the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR), the beauty of Istanbul, which bridges the continents of Asia and Europe, “lies in its ability to embrace the contradictions that bless it: ancient and modern, mythical and earthly, religious and secular, East and West.”

The event’s plenary sessions, which include commodity division and committee meetings, and the exhibition area are open to all registered attendees. In these sessions, simultaneous translation in English, French and German is available, while passive Italian and Spanish translations also are available. A number of workshops also are offered during the event.

Before the convention officially opens May 31, the BIR hosts a number of committee meetings as well as its Advisory Council meeting, which are by invitation only.

BIR welcomes delegates to the convention the evening of May 31 with a reception at the Ciragan Palace, which is located on the shores of the Bosphorus. According to the BIR, the Ciragan’s recent renovation “blends the architectural splendor of a palace with modern luxury and comforts.”

In addition to its educational programming, the World Recycling Convention & Exhibition also offers an exhibition area featuring BIR member companies manufacturing or distributing equipment for the recycling industry.

The BIR offers a complete schedule of events as well as registration information at www.bir.org.

BIR Receives Clarification on Shipments to China

During his recent mission to China, Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) Director General Francis Veys achieved important clarification regarding the application procedures (new and renewal) for the registration of overseas suppliers of recyclables to the People’s Republic of China, according to a press release issued by the BIR.

Together with the BIR Ambassador for China David Chiao of Atlanta-based Uni-All and CMRA (China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association) Vice-President Ma Hongchang, Veys meet with the deputy director of the Department for Supervision and Inspection of AQSIQ (General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine).

During the meeting, the BIR says its representatives had the opportunity to reassess the current registration procedures and ask a number of additional questions on which BIR members still seemed to have some doubts.

AQSIQ confirmed that new applicants will need to be ISO 9001 certified or have a recognized national quality management system, such as the Recycling Industry Operating Standard developed by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries Inc. (ISRI), in the future.

Another issue the group discussed was the question of how to register an additional category of material and how to incorporate change in an existing registration, according to the BIR.

The trade association received clarification as to whether AQSIQ had a list of accredited agencies for applications. AQSIQ clearly stated that it had no special arrangement with any agency and that the applicant was free to decide who to contact for help with the application, according to the press release issued by the BIR.

AQSIQ also specified that no more than three contraventions to CCIC (China Certification and Inspection Group rules were accepted and that subsequently each shipment would be 100 percent inspected, the BIR reports.

With regard to shipments from a third country, AQSIQ officially agreed that a registered company also could ship from a country that was not its country of origin.

The detailed report of the Feb. 22 meeting in Beijing can be found on the “Members Only” pages of the BIR Web site at www.bir.org. 

Additionally, the BIR has requested commentary from its members on issues related to the practical aspects of their dealings with the agencies involved in importing scrap materials into China. BIR is using these comments to prepare for a presentation to a forum organized by CIQAR (China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Association Reused and Recycling Branch) that will take place in early April in Guangzhou, China.