EU Waste Shipment Rules Reshape Global Circular Flows — ICEF2025 to Host Sector Dialogues in India
17th July'25
New Delhi, India – July 17, 2025 — The European Union’s revised Waste Shipment Regulation (WSR), which came into force on May 20, 2024, is already reshaping global trade in secondary materials. With a full implementation timeline stretching through May 21, 2026 — including the launch of the Digital Information System for Waste Shipments (DIWASS) — the policy introduces stricter controls on traceability, real-time documentation, and restrictions on waste exports to non-OECD nations.
India plays a critical role in the global trade of recyclable materials, particularly for sectors like steel re-rolling, aluminum reprocessing, paper manufacturing, and electronics dismantling. According to Eurostat, India was the largest importer of aluminum scrap from the European Union in 2024, receiving approximately 296,000 tonnes, and accounted for nearly 30% of EU paper waste exports. While the country generated 1.75 million tonnes of e-waste domestically in 2023–24, a significant portion of recyclable fractions — including printed circuit boards and non-ferrous metals, is also sourced through international flows. These imports form the backbone of several domestic industries, which now face increased scrutiny under the EU’s updated regulation.
With environmental integrity, traceability, and treatment capacity becoming preconditions for access, Indian recyclers and manufacturers are under pressure to upgrade operations and demonstrate compliance. These requirements come at a time when India’s own Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules are expanding, creating overlapping demands on systems already in transition.
Amid these shifts, the India Circular Economy Forum 2025 (ICEF2025) will offer a timely platform for reflection and response. Taking place on July 30–31 at Hotel Radisson, Udyog Vihar, Gurugram, ICEF2025 is organised by the International Council for Circular Economy (ICCE), and will convene more than 1,000 participants from industry, government, finance, research, and civil society.
This year’s theme — “Mitigating Risks and Exploring Opportunities for Businesses” — focuses on what Indian stakeholders must do to turn regulatory disruption into strategic alignment. Over two days, the forum will spotlight sector-specific strategies for circular mobility, e-waste recovery, and decentralised urban waste systems. It will feature discussions on regenerative design in the construction industry, responsible textile production, and innovations in food and agricultural waste reuse. New tracks will address the need for ESG-integrated financing and circular workforce development, alongside the challenges of scaling policy support for MSMEs and building locally governed circular cities.
ICEF2025 will also host the ACE Awards — Awards in Circular Economy — celebrating exemplary projects from across India. The awards are designed to elevate initiatives that demonstrate replicability, scalability, and measurable impact across enterprise, higher education, MSMEs, and community innovation.
An ICCE spokesperson noted, “The WSR is more than a trade policy — it’s a signal that circular systems must become smarter, faster, and more traceable. India cannot afford to be reactive. ICEF2025 is the space to build proactive, cross-sector strategies that prepare our systems for the next wave of climate and compliance demands.”
Event Details:
Name: Indian Circular Economy Forum (ICEF2025)
Dates: 30-31st July’25
Location: Hotel Radisson, Udyog Vihar, Gurugram
For more information, registration forms, or collaboration possibilities, please check ICEF2025
Website: ic-ce.com
Media: media@ic-ce.com
Phone: +91 76786 73079
“The WSR is more than a trade policy — it’s a signal that circular systems must become smarter, faster, and more traceable. India cannot afford to be reactive. ICEF2025 is the space to build proactive, cross-sector strategies that prepare our systems for the next wave of climate and compliance demands.”
Ms. Shalini Goyal Bhalla,
Managing Director,
ICCE
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