Senior Indonesian government officials have agreed to take the concerns of BIR members into consideration when preparing the guidelines for 100% quality inspection of all imported materials classified as “waste”, the Bureau of International Recycling reports.

Brussels - It was announced last month that, owing to quality problems associated with imports of co-mingled waste, Indonesia planned to introduce pre-shipment inspection requirements on all recyclables arriving in the country on or after June 24 this year, including recovered paper and scrap metal. The aim of this measure is to ensure global imports meet not only Indonesia’s waste import regulations but also all international regulations.

In response, BIR’s Paper Division President Ranjit Baxi has held meetings in Jakarta with Diah Maulida, Director General of Foreign Trade within the Ministry of Trade, and with Benny Wachjudi, Director General at the Ministry of Industry. On these occasions, Mr Baxi gave an assurance that BIR has always supported any legislation favouring the free and fair trade of good-quality recyclables while at the same time respecting the environment and human health. However, he also highlighted concern among BIR members as regards the logistical difficulties associated with proposed 100% pre-shipment inspection controls by nominated surveyors.

It was confirmed that the surveying guidelines have yet to be formalized and that the views of BIR and its members would be taken into consideration when drafting these new guidelines.

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