Environment Minister Proposes Stricter E-Waste and Scrap Metal Import Controls
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At 3:00 PM on October 30, 2026, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwat Jomklin attended the Electronic Waste Problem Resolution Committee meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Sutthamphand at the Kittiyakorn Meeting Room, 4th floor, Ministry of Commerce, to discuss management strategies for electronic waste and scrap metal and coordinate cooperation among relevant agencies.
The meeting deliberated on solutions for e-waste and scrap metal, emphasizing import control, prevention of illegal e-waste and hazardous waste smuggling, and scrap metal management approaches to establish appropriate joint operational guidelines.
Minister Suwat stated that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, through the Pollution Control Department as Thailand's Basel Convention Coordinating Center, has collaborated with the Customs Department and the Department of Industrial Works to conduct on-site inspections of high-risk import containers suspected of illegally smuggling e-waste, as well as inspecting factories that have drawn public complaints in multiple areas, particularly in the Eastern region.
Regarding solutions, the Ministry believes action should span from source to end-point, proposing stricter import controls on scrap metal without an outright ban. Importers should disclose contaminant information in scrap metal, along with clear statements of import purpose and destination factories. If contaminants fall below established thresholds, the licensed facility handling such contaminants should be specified, with the Pollution Control Department participating in the assessment.
Additionally, the meeting proposed considering measures for scrap metal exports. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment expressed willingness to cooperate with all agencies, particularly by deploying officers to join the Ministry of Industry's 50 inspection teams to examine and resolve issues on the ground. Improper management of e-waste and hazardous waste can contaminate soil and water sources and affect public health. The Ministry is therefore ready to integrate cooperation with relevant agencies to prevent illegal hazardous waste imports and reduce pollution risks impacting communities and the environment.
