Statement about recyclable C&D materials and REACH

24/09/2024

 

A joint statement by the European Quality Association for Recycling (EQAR), the European Demolition Association (EDA) and the European Decontamination Institute (EDI), calls on the European Commission to ensure that recycled mineral construction materials remain exempt from the REACH regulation.

Authored by Martin Car, Secretary General of EQAR, the statement highlights the vital role of recycled materials in the circular economy and the potential negative impact if they were subjected to REACH.

Recycled construction materials, primarily derived from mineral waste like concrete, bricks, and asphalt, have been successfully used for over 30 years and represent a significant opportunity to reduce reliance on primary raw materials.

These materials meet stringent national and EU environmental and technical standards, with thorough pre-demolition audits ensuring harmful substances are removed before recycling.

The statement emphasizes that subjecting recycled materials to REACH would increase costs, reduce competitiveness with primary materials, and potentially threaten the EU’s target to increase recycling rates.

EQAR, EDA and EDU argue that the current system effectively safeguards health and the environment, making additional REACH requirements unnecessary and detrimental to the industry.

Recycled construction materials have proven to be safe and environmentally friendly, and the statement calls for their continued classification as products, not substances, under the REACH regulation.

Links:

Statement for the European Commission