Imports - Eurofer

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In addition, EUROFER supports the principle of producer responsibility, and suggests that a
direct economic link should be established between each producer and the cost of recycling of
the producer’s own products. Economic incentives should be used rather than arbitrary targets
such as a minimum rate of separate collection per inhabitant per year. This would create strong
incentives for producers to design economically recyclable products. EUROFER supports
the text on recovery / reuse and recycling as drafted in the Commission proposal. EUROFER
emphasises that steel, alloy steels and coated steels can be easily separated from the electronic
waste and recycled in steel processes.
The proposed ROHS Directive and the End of Life Vehicles Directive (ELV Directive) are
from a single family of Directives which seek to promote reuse and recycling. That being so,
the Commission has acknowledged that the family of Directives should, wherever possible,
demonstrate consistency. EUROFER’s efforts were successful in changing the exemption for
the lead content of leaded steels in the ELV Directive: “Lead as an alloying element in steel
(including galvanised steel) containing up to 0.35% lead by weight”. EUROFER attempts to
have the exemption level for lead in steel in the ROHS Directive raised from 0.3% to 0.35%
also seem to have been successful.
Chemicals Policy
Member States and the Commission have been dissatisfied with the present system for regulation
of chemicals, mainly because it takes too long to get existing chemicals through a formal risk
assessment. A White Paper outlining the Commission’s proposals for a new chemicals policy was
expected before the end of 2000. However, it did not appear until February 2001. As expected,
the proposed new approach to the regulation of chemicals shifts the burden of proof from
regulators to industry. EUROFER is working with other metals industry representatives to ensure
that the new approach will not result in unjustified over-regulation of metals and alloys.
Under the Existing Substances Regulation, a comprehensive risk assessment of zinc metal
and five of its compounds is currently under way. EUROFER has submitted data on emissions
from continuous galvanising lines to the Dutch rapporteur responsible for the risk assessment,
and continues to work in close co-operation with the zinc industry to make sure that the rapporteur
has a complete, factual basis for the risk assessment and that no ecotoxicity classification is
recommended unless supported by strong, scientific evidence.
Nickel metal and several nickel compounds are also undergoing risk assessment, with the Danes
as rapporteur. Much of the focus is on potential risks from end-uses. EUROFER is collating
and submitting data on stainless steel products.