Recycling of secondary raw materials imported from abroad will become easier when waste classification is eliminated

Image: Criteria for copper waste were created at the European Union level ten years ago, by which copper waste ceases to be waste. The so-called end-of-waste (EOW) procedure stipulates that, among other things, copper scrap must be ready to be used as is for the production of metal objects.

The Ministry of the Environment has sent a proposal for amendments to the Waste Act for comments, which would make the recycling of certain waste-based materials imported to Finland from abroad, intended for reuse, easier than before.

According to the proposal, materials imported to Finland for reuse from other countries in the European Economic Area, or EEA, would no longer be classified as waste when imported to Finland if the material has been classified as a reusable material and not as waste in another EEA country.

The proposal only applies to material batches imported into Finland, not to similar waste generated in Finland.

What is waste, what is not?

Under current legislation, such materials, such as side beds and recycled materials that have been granted no-waste status, are still considered waste in Finland.

If a company operating in Finland has purchased material for recycled products from another EEA country, the company must have been prepared for the fact that as a result of the import, it may be considered a waste processor, in which case its operations are subject to an environmental permit requirement.

The current situation has been unclear, as some substances have defined end-of-waste criteria that are valid in all EEA countries, while other substances only have national end-of-waste criteria.

The proposed amendment to the Waste Act would facilitate the utilization of materials imported from another EEA country. However, Finnish authorities would still have the right to intervene in the situation if the imported materials are harmful to the environment or health.

About the presentation can give statements Until March 28, 2024.

Text: Elina Saarinen/ Uusiouutiset-magazine

Picture: For copper scrap Ten years ago, criteria were established at the European Union level to determine whether copper waste ceases to be waste. The so-called end-of-waste (EOW) procedure stipulates that, among other things, copper scrap must be ready to be used as is for the production of metal objects. However, for almost all waste materials suitable for reuse, there are no criteria at EU level that would determine whether a material is classified as waste.