On July 1, the Finance Act, 2026 came into force. On August 21, barely 52 days later, the Scrap Metal Council (SMC), through its chairperson, issued a desperate press release.
The Council noted:" Increase in the number of dealers operating without valid licences... cases of importation and exportation of scrap metal without the requisite permits... increasing cases of illegal exportation and smuggling of lead-acid batteries whose export is currently prohibited."
