Industry Leaders Call for Collaboration and Standards in Scrap Trade Compliance Ahead of BRS 2025

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, 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.” Dr. Agnihotri added.

Mr. Sandeep Jain, President, Bombay Metal Exchange Ltd & MD, Laurel Wires, highlighted the urgent need for collaboration across the non-ferrous metals recycling value chain. He said, “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.”

Further, on the subject of GST reforms, Mr. 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”

Highlighting the compliance and global dynamics, Mr. 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.

Mr. Jaimin Patel, Asst. Director, National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies, 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.”

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.

The pre-event webinar set the stage for the upcoming Bharat Recycling Show (BRS) 2025 in November, in Mumbai. As India’s leading platform for the recycling ecosystem, the show aims to drive meaningful discussions, showcase innovations, and drive actionable solutions for a sustainable future.