Kenyan National Recyclers Organization, which represents ferrous and nonferrous scrap metal recyclers and dealers, said that the government would await the results of an independent study before taking any further action in terms of implementing scrap metal export restrictions.

Mr Mandisi Mpahlwa trade & industry minister of Kenya said in June 2008 that government was considering measures to limit the exportation of scrap metal to allow for sufficient supply to the domestic market.

Mr Sello Mahlangu chairperson of NRO said that the department of trade & industry has agreed that restrictions would not be implemented until an informed decision could be taken in partnership with the industry.

He added that the study, which would be conducted by independent economic consultancy Econex, would investigate the ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal surpluses in South Africa, as well as the total employment in the formal and informal sectors of the economy.

Mr Mahlangu said that "At the outset, government and industry needs a precise understanding of the metal availability, taking into account supply and demand statistics, and the nature of the industry, and then the result of what might happen if restrictive tariffs were to be imposed."

Meanwhile, the NRO asserted that the introduction of the proposed export restrictions on scrap metal would have far reaching implications.