EU Regulations apply directly in Poland, while Directives are transposed into national law. The principal acts governing the collection, classification, recovery and movement of copper and other non-ferrous scrap are set out below.
Waste Framework Directive (WFD)
Directive 2008/98/EC — am. by (EU) 2018/851
The cornerstone of EU waste law: defines waste, by-product and end-of-waste, sets the five-step waste hierarchy and the core duties for separate collection, recovery and recycling.
End-of-waste criteria for copper scrap
Council Regulation (EU) No 715/2013
Directly on point for our trade — fixes the quality, process and documentation criteria under which copper scrap ceases to be waste and becomes a product, with a statement of conformity per consignment.
End-of-waste criteria for metal scrap
Council Regulation (EU) No 333/2011
The parallel end-of-waste regime for iron, steel and aluminium scrap; the benchmark for the quality-management systems applied to mixed metal streams.
Waste Shipment Regulation (WSR, recast)
Regulation (EU) 2024/1157
Governs intra-EU and cross-border movements of waste, including metal scrap. Replaces Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006, tightens exports to non-OECD countries and digitalises notifications; applies progressively from 2026.
European List of Waste (LoW)
Commission Decision 2000/532/EC
The harmonised classification catalogue. Copper-bearing scrap is coded 17 04 01 (copper, bronze, brass) and 19 12 03 (non-ferrous metals); correct coding underpins every transfer and shipment.
REACH Regulation
Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006
The chemicals regime that applies once scrap ceases to be waste and is placed on the market as a material — including recovered-substance registration duties and exemptions.
Industrial Emissions Directive (IED)
Integrated permitting and best-available-techniques requirements for larger recovery and metallurgical installations; frames the obligations of downstream processors.
Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA)
Regulation (EU) 2024/1252
Designates copper a strategic raw material and sets EU benchmarks for recycling and circularity, reinforcing the security-of-supply value of compliant secondary metal.