The Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) is inviting members to join a newly formed working group focused on electrics, electronics, and electric vehicle (EV) batteries—an initiative with serious implications for global safety and compliance in materials handling.
This first-of-its-kind group will bring together technical specialists from BIR member organisations to navigate the evolving landscape of e-waste regulation, with particular attention to the safety risks associated with transport, processing, and classification of end-of-life electronics and EV battery components.
A primary focus for the group will be interpreting the latest Basel Convention e-waste amendments, which came into effect in January 2025. These updates introduced complex classifications that directly impact how recyclables such as insulated copper wire, electric motors and zorba (mixed non-ferrous metal scrap) are managed and transported. Without clear guidance, there is increasing risk of non-compliance, logistical bottlenecks, and potential safety hazards in handling hazardous or misclassified materials.
“There is now an urgent need for clear and practical guidance on which recycled electric and electronic materials are now considered subject to trade control, and which remain exempt and may continue to be traded freely,” a BIR spokesperson stated.
To support this effort, BIR is seeking expressions of interest from members with expertise in electronics recycling, international compliance, or hazardous materials logistics. Contributions will also feed into the Basel Convention’s broader technical guidelines, where BIR aims to represent the recycling sector’s safety and regulatory concerns.
Interested individuals should contact BIR Trade and Environment Policy Officer Federico Zanotti at [email protected]. The group’s work is expected to play a crucial role in supporting safe, sustainable trade practices amid rising volumes of EV and electronic waste.
