As part of its pre-event activities, the Bharat Recycling Show (BRS), hosted by Media Fusion and Crain Communications, recently convened an insightful webinar on “Navigating Challenges in the Metals Scrap Trade: Regulations, Compliance, and Global Forces”. Designed to spark early dialogue and share critical insights, the session brought together eminent industry voices to examine pressing concerns, regulatory bottlenecks, and the emerging opportunities that are set to shape the future of the non-ferrous metals scrap trade sector.

Speaking at the session, Dr. Anupam Agnihotri, Director, Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development & Design Centre,(JNARDDC), Ministry of Mines, Govt. of India, said “Large players in the aluminium sector are already experimenting with small modular reactors, digital tools, and green compliance to align with global sustainability goals. By 2030–35, ‘green aluminium’ or zero-emission production will become the global benchmark, creating a significant competitiveness gap for MSMEs that currently lack the technical capacity and resources to meet such targets. 

Commenting on India’s preparedness for EU’s While the immediate impact of Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism,he said, “While the immediate impact of  (CBAM ) may be limited, the long-term decarbonization challenge is far greater and requires urgent focus. Competitiveness in the future will depend on how effectively we integrate renewables, nuclear energy, hydrogen, and provide adequate support to MSMEs.”

India’s strength lies in its government–industry partnership across policy, technology, research, infrastructure, and training. However, industry participation must go beyond GST and import duty concerns — it is equally vital to contribute data, engage in standardization, adopt audits, and improve energy efficiency, he said. “The Government enables and regulates, but industry must innovate, invest, and formalize. Together, we can make India’s non-ferrous recycling globally competitive,” he added while answering a question on the role of key stakeholders in enhancing the efficiency of the non-ferrous metals recycling sector..

Sandeep Jain, Immediate Past-President, Bombay Metal Exchange Ltd & MD, Laurel Wires, highlighted the urgent need for collaboration across the non-ferrous metals recycling value chain. He noted that the industry often operates in silos, with manufacturers, recyclers, traders, and regulators working in isolation, which hinders collective progress. He called for the creation of a common platform for knowledge-sharing to track scrap flows, promote best practices, and streamline compliance. According to him, collective advocacy can help align policies more effectively, while joint investments in modern scrap processing infrastructure can enhance efficiency and scalability. With greater collaboration, he believes India’s non-ferrous scrap sector holds the potential to emerge as a global recycling leader.

Turning to policy, Jain urged the need for a regulatory environment that promotes compliance without compromising ease of business. “We need a balanced approach—policy reform should make compliance simpler, digital and transparent,” Jain said. 

He suggested digitising certification procedures to eliminate redundant paperwork and rationalising GST and import duties to make recycled metals more competitive against primary metals. “When recycled content becomes cheaper and easier to use, manufacturers will naturally move towards it,” he observed.

Jain also proposed incentives for recycling investment, including tax breaks and credit-linked subsidies, to strengthen India’s circular manufacturing ecosystem. “And we must end the siloed policymaking approach,” he added. “Coordination between the ministries of Mines, Environment and Commerce is crucial if India wants a unified roadmap for the non-ferrous scrap industry.”

Further, on the subject of GST reforms, Jain highlighted that all industry associations are united in their proposal to reduce GST on scrap to 5%. This would reduce the incentive for fake invoicing and make compliance more seamless. He further suggested the option of introducing a reverse charge mechanism (RCM) with 5% GST along with the existing 2% TDS to create a more transparent tax framework.

Speaking on the upcoming Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance framework, Mr. Jain noted that the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has already implemented digital portals for plastics and e-waste, and a similar system for non-ferrous metals like copper and aluminium is expected to go live by April 2026. Registration will be made mandatory, beginning 90 days prior to the rollout. The system will allow users to self-select their roles—whether as a manufacturer, recycler, or trader—with CPCB providing support in case of errors” he further added.

Highlighting the compliance and global dynamics, Sandeep Vakharia – Hon. Secretary, Bombay Non-ferrous Metal Association, said “European Union’s impending 2027 restriction on scrap exports to non-OECD nations. He explained that unless importing countries, such as India, are able to provide comprehensive data on national scrap consumption, production output, hazardous waste management, and disposal methods, nearly 30–40% of India’s imported scrap supply could be at risk—equivalent to almost half of current imports.” He cautioned that India’s existing data gaps pose a significant risk to raw material security and highlighted the urgency for policy action, noting that while discussions have already begun at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF), immediate steps are required to avert future shortages.

Vakharia highlighted the recent removal of customs duties on critical minerals such as copper, lead, and zinc, describing it as a long-awaited and much-needed move by the industry. He welcomed the change as a clear signal from the government that it intends to encourage recycling and support the growth of the sector. Noting that the entire industry had requested this adjustment, he explained that reducing the customs duty to zero percent will significantly ease the sourcing of these essential materials, which is often one of the biggest challenges in recycling operations. According to Vakharia, this policy shift not only facilitates material availability but also sets an important precedent for fostering a stronger circular economy in the country, enabling the industry to expand infrastructure, improve resource efficiency, and create new economic opportunities.

Jaimin Patel, Asst. Director, National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies, stressed the importance of aligning with international standards to retain India’s foothold in global markets. “Global buyers expect not just quality but evidence of compliance with environmental, safety, and ethical standards,” said Patel. “Alignment with international frameworks is no longer optional—it’s essential.”

He outlined the key standards that exporters must adopt: ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), and ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety). These systems, he explained, ensure consistent production processes, traceability, and worker safety—all vital for building buyer confidence.

“Climate-conscious markets are also beginning to demand disclosures under ISO 14064, which measures greenhouse gas emissions,” Patel added. For recyclers handling complex materials, certifications such as R2V3 and E-Stewards are becoming gateways to enter European and US markets, while Basel Convention guidelines regulate transboundary scrap trade.

He further mentioned the EN 10204 standard for material testing and verification, often requested by overseas buyers. “Certificates and test results issued by accredited labs-recognised under ISO 17025 or ISO 17020—carry weight globally because they assure quality and compliance,” he explained. 

He also emphasized the importance of collective action. He said, “Collaboration is central to building a robust recycling ecosystem. By rallying around standards, accredited quality assurance, and transparent systems, the industry can significantly reduce the compliance burden while simultaneously enhancing India’s global credibility as a trusted recycling hub.”

Patel also shed light on where exporters are falling short. “Broadly, there are three key compliance gaps,” he said. “First, documentation and traceability; second, quality and safety standards; and third, environmental and regulatory compliance.”

He elaborated that incomplete paperwork—especially around material origin and environmental declarations—often leads to shipment delays or rejections. “Documentation lapses are more than clerical errors; they can cost exporters entire consignments,” he warned.

On quality and safety, Patel noted that some exporters still overlook contamination limits or fail to meet specifications required by strict markets such as the EU and US. “These are credibility risks India can no longer afford,” he said.

“These measures are about creating an organised, transparent and globally competitive ecosystem,” he said. “The aim is to transform waste into wealth while contributing to India’s net-zero vision.”

The panel further underlined how regulatory clarity, global policy shifts, and sustainable practices will play a defining role in strengthening India’s position in the non-ferrous metals recycling sector. The dialogue also reinforced the importance of creating a resilient framework that balances trade, compliance, and environmental priorities.