The Armenian government has extended the ban on the export of used ceramic waste from automotive catalytic converters for another 6 months - until July 2026. The decision was made on December 11 at a cabinet meeting and is aimed at further tightening control over the circulation of these components.
The rationale states that the measure is designed to prevent the illegal dismantling of catalytic converters from cars, reduce harmful emissions from the operation of cars without a neutralization system, and reduce the scale of illegal trafficking and theft of auto parts. Catalytic converters remain one of the most vulnerable parts of cars due to the content of precious metals.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia, the previously introduced ban has already shown a noticeable effect. If 92 thefts of catalytic converters were recorded in 2021, and 40 cases in 2022, then only 3 such incidents were registered in the period from 2023 to 2025. The authorities expect that the extension of the restriction will allow this trend to continue further.
