How can we transform metallic scraps into raw materials?
Certain categories of scraps cease to be waste when they suffer a recovery (including treatment). The metallic scraps recycling markets can benefit as there are specific criteria that determine the conditions in which metallic scraps obtained from waste are not waste anymore. The criteria shall ensure a high level of environmental protection and shall comply with the relevant standards applicable for waste or the specifications of the metallurgical industry.
Why do we need criteria for „end of waste”?
The steel industry is one of the most important sectors regarding recycling, as there is an annual production of 500 million tons of iron and steel scraps.
At this moment, the iron and steel scraps market is quite uneven and it does not have a constant quality structure, safe for direct use in metallurgical industry.
A waste ceases to be a waste when it can be proven that the respective waste comply with the established criteria.
The criteria that determine the conditions when iron, steel and aluminum scraps are no longer waste must ensure that the iron, steel and aluminum scraps that result from a recovery operation obey the technical requirements of the metallurgical industry, comply with the legislation and applicable standards of the products and do not generate a global negative impact upon the environment and the human health.
What are the criteria that determine „end of waste” for metallic scraps?
Based on the Directive 2008/98/CE of the European Parliament, EU Regulation no.333/2011 of the Council establishes criteria determining when iron, steel and aluminum scrap, including aluminum alloy scrap, cease to be waste.
Criteria for iron and steel scrap
Iron and steel scrap shall cease to be waste where, upon transfer from the producer to another holder, all of the following conditions are fulfilled:
- The waste used as input for the recovery operation contain recoverable iron or steel, do not contain dangerous waste, do not contain tin and flakes, that contain fluids, barrels and containers which contain or have contained oil or paints;
- Waste used as input in the recovery operation have been treated for their use in steelworks and foundries;
- The iron and steel scraps that result from recovery operation shall respect the following criteria: The total amount of foreign materials (steriles) shall be ≤2 % by weight, shall not contain excessive ferrous ox, shall be free of visible oil, oily emulsions, lubricants or grease, radioactivity or dangerous substances.
Criteria for aluminum scraps
Aluminum scrap, including aluminum alloy scrap, shall cease to be waste where, upon transfer from the producer to another holder, all of the following conditions are fulfilled:
- Waste used as input in the recovery operation contain recoverable aluminum or aluminum alloys, do not contain dangerous waste, do not contain tin and flakes, that contain fluids, barrels and containers which contain or have contained oil or paints;
- Waste used as input in the recovery operation have been treated to separate the aluminum scrap from the non-metal and non-aluminum metal components for their use in steelworks and foundries;
- The aluminum scraps that result from recovery operation shall respect the following criteria: The total amount of foreign materials shall be ≤5 % by weight, shall not contain excessive ferrous ox, shall be free of visible oil, oily emulsions, lubricants or grease, radioactivity or dangerous substances.
How do we prove compliance with the criteria?
In order to ensure compliance with criteria, it is necessary to provide communication of information about metallic scraps that are no longer waste and the application of a quality management system that is able to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Regulation (EU) no. 333/2011.This quality management system must be certified by an accredited certification body.
The first certification body accredited in Romania for the auditing of the management systems in compliance with the requirements of the Regulation (EU) no. 333/2011 was SRAC. Some of the clients that chose SRAC CERT: REMAT, Gremlin Computer, SILNEF, METALIMPEX Romania, and KOTAL ANAMETAL.
The producer or the importer shall issue, for each consignment of scrap metal, a statement of conformity in accordance with the model set out in Annex III of the EU Regulation no. 333/2011.