EU institutes monitoring of incoming and outgoing metal scrap transactions
The European Union Commission has activated a customs surveillance system to closely monitor the import and export of metal waste and scrap. This move is part of a broader strategy to address challenges affecting the competitiveness of the EU's metals industries and promote metal circularity, which supports the decarbonisation of metal industries.
Under the new system, statistics on metal scrap trade are updated monthly, providing timely and transparent information on trade flows. The system covers ferrous waste and scrap (including steel), aluminium, and copper.
The EU Commission's focus remains on obtaining more detailed data regarding metal scrap trade. To this end, the Commission will gather more structured and detailed information by closely monitoring imports and exports of metal scrap. This data will be used to determine if any further action is necessary by the end of the 3rd Quarter 2025.
The Commission is collaborating with industry stakeholders to assess the advancement of scrap classification into key categories. This collaboration aims to enhance the monitoring of metal scrap and provide a comprehensive understanding of metal scrap trade flows.
The decline in scrap availability is partly due to "scrap leakage" to third countries. The Commission's efforts to monitor metal scrap trade are not limited to customs surveillance but also include data collection from industry stakeholders.
The EU Commission adopted the Steel and Metal Action Plan (SMAP) on March 19, 20XX, which sets a goal for a 90% reduction of net greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, compared to 1990. The Commission believes that effective monitoring of metal scrap trade is crucial in achieving this goal.
The customs monitoring system for the trade of scrap metal and metal waste in and out of the EU, to be implemented in the 3rd quarter of 2025, has been developed by the European Union authorities. The specific developer entity is not named in the available results.
The introduction of a 50% tariff by the United States on a wide range of steel and aluminium products may further worsen the issue of declining scrap availability. The Commission will use import and export data to assess the impact of these tariffs on the EU's metal scrap trade.
The Commission's strategy for metal scrap trade monitoring is flexible, allowing for adjustments based on the data gathered. The Commission encourages all stakeholders to visit its website to access the updated statistics on metal scrap trade.
