Tata Steel: BIS Recycling Code for Steel Scrap Entails Urgent Review

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): In a presentation to Niti Aayog on the sidelines of the  ‘International Conference  on Sustainable Growth through Material Recycling’ held recently in New Delhi, Tata Steel has demanded that Bureau of Indian Standard’s (BIS) code for steel scrap be streamlined and aligned with international norms. The steel conglomerate called for immediate review and revision of the code used in domestic scrap trade.

According to Yogesh Bedi, Chief of Steel Recycling Business at Tata Steel, the country uses Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) code for international scrap trade, which undergoes revision every year. However, there is no uniform code followed by domestic trade. Surprisingly domestic scrap trade in the country depends on the codes used by different countries. Although BIS codes and classifications are available, they are not often practiced, he said. Further, the code formulated way back in 1994 has not been amended for long.

Tata Steel highlighted that the current code misses out on many scrap classifications. The code does not provide clear definitions with respect to dimensions, chemical compositions etc. It does not provide examples of scrap materials that fall in each category, thereby making classifications more tedious. Further, the current BIS classification fails to provide matching ISRI code for cross-reference and does not specify adequate sampling and testing procedures.

A timely revision of the classification code in compliance with international norms will result in a more organized domestic steel scrap market, the company noted.