It results from an evaluation of several waste streams that recycling markets for copper scrap would benefit from the development of specific criteria determining when copper scrap obtained from waste ceases to be waste. Those criteria should ensure a high level of environmental protection. They should be without prejudice to the classification of recovered copper scrap as waste by third countries.

Reports of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission have shown that a market and demand exist for copper scrap to be used as feedstock in the non-ferrous metal producing industry. Copper scrap should therefore be sufficiently pure and meet the relevant standards or specifications required by the non-ferrous metal producing industry.

The criteria determining when copper scrap ceases to be waste should ensure that copper scrap resulting from a recovery operation meets the technical requirements of the non-ferrous metal producing industry, comply with existing legislation and standards applicable to products and do not lead to overall adverse environmental or human health impacts. Reports of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission have shown that the proposed criteria on the waste used as input in the recovery operation, on the treatment processes and techniques, as well as on the copper scrap resulting from the recovery operation fulfil those objectives as they should result in the generation of copper scrap devoid of hazardous properties and sufficiently free of metals other than copper and non-metallic compounds.

In order to ensure compliance with the criteria, it is appropriate to provide that information on copper scrap which has ceased to be waste is issued and that a management system is implemented.

A review of the criteria may prove necessary if, on the basis of a monitoring for the development of market conditions for copper scrap, adverse effects on recycling markets for copper scrap are noted, in particular with regard to the availability of, and access to, such scrap.

In order to allow operators to adapt to the criteria determining when copper scrap ceases to be waste, it is appropriate to provide for a reasonable period to elapse before this Regulation applies.

The Committee established by Article 39 of Directive 2008/98/EC has not delivered an opinion on the measures provided for in this Regulation and the Commission therefore submitted a proposal relating to the measures to be taken to the Council and forwarded it to the European Parliament. The Council did not act within the 2-month period provided for by Article 5a of Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission2, and the Commission therefore submitted the proposal to the European Parliament without delay. The European Parliament did not oppose the measure within 4 months from the abovementioned forwarding,