Summary report on the General Assembly meeting
which was held in Brussels on February 27, 20008

Representatives from the national member associations of EUROMETREC –BIR’s daughter association representing the interests of non-ferrous metals scrap operators in the EU – met for their annual General Assembly in Brussels on 27 February 2008.

In his activity report, EUROMETREC President Björn Grufman from M.V. Metallvärden AB of Stockholm, Sweden, summarized the association’s work and initiatives regarding key issues for the European non-ferrous metals sector such as the implementation of the revised EU regulation on waste shipments, the framework directive on waste, which is still under revision and … ReacH. He also welcomed the work done by EUROMETREC together with its national member federations on common topics among which he mentions the problems raised by thefts and cash payments in certain countries, the fraud on VAT- promoting the reverse charge system, the procedures and costs related to the notifications which were required by some national authorities in case of scrap shipments, the implementation of the WEEE directive in the member states etc…

He referred to EUROMETREC’s recent participation in a workshop organised by the EU Commission in Brussels to discuss EU trade with China and the CCIC/AQSIQ registrations requirements for overseas suppliers. EUROMETREC, which was represented by Robert VOSS (VOSS INTERNATIONAL) had the opportunity to express the EU scrap merchants concerns about the lengthy administration procedures and the diverse interpretations of the Chinese legislation by the EU authorities.

During the EUROMETREC General Assembly the national delegations reported in detail on the current market conditions in their countries whereas they gave several information about the solutions they were seeking with the assistance of their authorities with respect to metals thefts. The implementation of the EU battery directive in the member states was also discussed and the member federations were asked to provide the Brussels secretariat with a summary report about the current and future situation in their countries.

President Grufman who has fulfilled his four-year mandate stated that he had enjoyed the chairmanship of the association very much. He asked all national associations to propose the name (s) of one or more candidates to replace him in the coming weeks/months, before his election as BIR Treasurer which will take place in Monte Carlo in June 2008.

Next dates of EUROMETREC meetings: Wednesday, 24 September 2008

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