Indian recycling companies have asked their government to intervene after the European Commission proposed excluding India from countries permitted to receive European Union metal-waste exports.
The restrictions are scheduled to take effect in May 2027 and are intended to strengthen controls over shipments that may contain persistent or toxic heavy metals.
India’s commerce ministry said it remains engaged with European officials, while the Material Recycling Association of India warned of serious effects on smaller processors.
Industry estimates indicate that India obtains about one quarter of its imported metal scrap from the EU, including significant shares of aluminium, copper, lead and zinc waste.
The recyclers’ association said disruption could increase raw-material prices, weaken micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and increase dependence on newly mined metals.
It argued that India already maintains environmental rules for metal processing and described the European proposal as a form of resource protectionism.
The dispute combines environmental oversight with industrial strategy and is likely to become an important issue in broader India–EU trade negotiations.
Source: Reuters, updated 24 September 2026.
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