After russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the import of russian float glass was banned as part of the first wave of economic sanctions. However, significant volumes of russian flat glass continued to enter the European through belarus. The trade association of the European flat glass sector, Glass for Europe, reported the issue early.
The new resolution prohibits the purchase, import, or transfer into the EU, directly or indirectly, of flat glass originating from or exported from belarus. Annex XXVII↗️ lists:
- Float glass and surface ground or polished glass in sheets, whether or not with an absorbent, reflecting, or non-reflecting layer, but not otherwise worked (CN code 7005);
- Safety glass, consisting of toughened or laminated glass (CN code 7007).
The resolution has already come into effect.
The regulation also requires EU exporters to include the so-called "belarus prohibition clause" in future contracts, under which they contractually prohibit the re-export to belarus or re-export for use in belarus of sensitive goods.
