KARACHI: In a significant move to bolster environmental protection and uphold international waste management standards, Pakistan has officially updated its import policy to ban hazardous wastes classified under the newly introduced HS code 8549.
The introduction of HS code 8549 was made through the Finance Bill 2023, which updated the customs nomenclature in alignment with the World Customs Organization (WCO) Harmonized System (HS) 2022 update. Subsequently, in April 2024, the government issued Notification SRO 628 of 2024, which formally included goods covered under HS code 8549 in the banned list of the Import Policy. This update marks a critical step towards safeguarding the environment and ensuring compliance with global regulations.
Despite these stringent regulations, concerns have been raised over the continued illegal import of reclaimable and contaminated compressors, which are being brought into the country under the guise of compressor scrap. These imports, prohibited under Pakistan’s Import Policy, pose significant environmental risks, distort market dynamics, and lead to substantial revenue losses for the country.
The import of used compressors and compressors contaminated with hazardous substances is explicitly banned in Pakistan. The introduction of HS code 8549 as part of the WCO HS 2022 update enhances the regulation of waste electrical and electronic equipment, underscoring the need for proper classification and control of hazardous waste to prevent environmental harm and illegal trafficking.
However, intact used compressors continue to be imported under the guise of compressor scrap. Not only is the import of these used compressors illegal, but compressor scrap contaminated with hazardous substances is also prohibited. These compressors and compressor scrap typically contain oil, gas, and other liquids classified as hazardous substances under Annex I of the Basel Convention, exhibiting hazardous characteristics outlined in Annex III. According to the Basel Convention, compressor scrap containing such hazardous materials must be classified as hazardous waste, and its import is strictly prohibited.
One of the key environmental risks posed by untreated compressor scrap is its composition. Compressors, commonly found in refrigerators and air conditioning units, are hermetically sealed, making it nearly impossible to remove oils, liquids, and gases effectively. This untreated scrap poses a substantial environmental threat, as it contains materials classified as hazardous under the Basel Convention, including metal wastes and scrap contaminated with hazardous substances (A1010), waste electrical and electronic assemblies containing hazardous substances (A1180), and waste oils and hydrocarbons (A4090).
Given these pressing concerns, it is crucial for relevant authorities to take immediate and decisive action to enforce existing regulations and prevent the illegal import of reclaimable compressors and contaminated compressor scrap. Strict enforcement of these regulations is vital to protecting both the environment and the integrity of Pakistan’s industrial landscape.
Pakistan’s inclusion of HS code 8549 in its banned list through the WCO HS 2022 update represents a crucial step towards strengthening the country’s regulatory framework on hazardous waste imports. The effective implementation and enforcement of these regulations will be critical in safeguarding the country’s environmental and economic interests as Pakistan continues to navigate the challenges of waste management and environmental protection.