Eurometaux supports the overall objective of moving towards a more resource efficient society notably through recycling and breakthrough innovations as highlighted in the Resolution adopted by the European Parliament on 24 May on “A Resource Efficient Europe”. However, Eurometaux is concerned about the impact on industry of some of the proposed measures.
Eurometaux welcomes the call for involvement of stakeholders in defining clear and robust indicators, and for partnership across the value chain, as more resource efficiency can only be achieved through the active participation of all actors and partners.
The support of recycling, notably through securing access to secondary raw materials and halting illegal shipments of valuable materials, is especially welcomed by the non-ferrous metals industry, for which these are conditions for a viable and growing recycling industry.
Increased support of innovation is rightly highlighted as an indispensable leverage to support the transition towards a more resource-efficient society, while avoiding harmful impacts on industry’s competitiveness.
However, Eurometaux is concerned about a possible tax on resources and virgin raw materials that would create a clear competitive disadvantage for EU industry, especially for industries based on raw materials that are traded globally and whose prices are set internationally. It could lead to the leakage of economic activities outside Europe without automatically improving overall resource efficiency.
Eurometaux favours the progressive landfill ban on post-consumer goods and the improvement of the overall recycling of goods, but believes that a ban or tax on landfill of industrial waste are unrealistic.
Eurometaux is eager to contribute to a further dialogue with all actors concerned to ensure that Europe can progressively move towards more resource efficiency without harming its economy.
For more information:
Sarah Romy EDWARDS
Eurometaux is the Brussels-based EU association of the non-ferrous metals industry, representing the main EU and international metals producers, EU and international metal commodity groups and national metal federations. The industry covers base metals (Al, Cu, Pb, Ni, Zn, Sn), precious metals (Au, Ag, PGM´s) and technical metals (e.g. Co, W, Cr, Mo, Mn), manufactured from both virgin and recycled raw materials.
