BIR | 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' .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 (see BIR News dated 25 March 2009). 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. The meetings in Jakarta were also attended by the chairman of Indonesia's paper producers' trade association and by senior domestic mill representatives.
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 formalised. Both Mrs Maulida and Mr Wachjudi confirmed that the views of BIR and its members would be taken into consideration when drafting these new guidelines. And at what proved to be highly useful meetings, various options were discussed to ensure a smooth transition to enhanced quality control procedures.
Following the granting of permission to import plastics scrap, the government of Indonesia wants to ensure that imported recyclables are free from hazardous waste. At the same time, ministers fully appreciate the need for continued imports of recyclables for use as raw material by the country's industries.
Mr Baxi also pointed out in Jakarta that, as a result of the revision of the EU Waste Framework Directive agreed late last year, there is reason to believe that, in the next year or so, recovered paper complying with agreed criteria will cease to be classified as 'waste' by the EU.
