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Things are changing. "The last few years have seen
an increase in government legislation aimed at minimizing
environmental impacts through product design and disposal.
Important legislative developments include:
Basel Convention: an international convention adopted
in 1989, banning the export of hazardous waste to non-OECD
countries from EU countries.
Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
(WEEE): a European directive adopted in 2002 imposing
financial responsibility for recycling and final disposal
of electrical goods onto producers. The directive is
also applicable to imported goods.
(ROHS): a European directive adopted in 2002 banning
the use of lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium,
polybrominated biphenyls or polybrominated dipyenyl
ethers in electrical equipment from 1st July 2006. Primarily
designed to reduce environmental and health impacts
of disposal, this legislation will also help to reduce
occupational exposure to hazardous substances in factories.
EC Draft Directive for Energy Using Products (EUP):
This is designed to reduce the impacts on the environment
associated with the production, use and disposal of
energy using equipment. Products have to be evaluated
against certain environmental standards prior to coming
onto the EU market.
Television sets and white goods must now be between
50% and 60% recyclable.
California: The SB 20 Bill requires companies to charge
an upfront fee for recycling. This legislation is being
challenged on the grounds that it does not advance the
concept of producers' responsibility. However, it may
serve as a precedent for further US State and Federal
legislation." (From "The ICT sector:
The Management of Social and Environmental Issues in
Supply and Disposal Chains" - January 2004 - ISIS Asset
Management plc)
"An increasing number of state and local governments
are considering options for managing end-of-life electronic
equipment such as televisions and personal computers.
Their concern centers around the continued growth of
this waste stream, the potential for hazardous constituents
in these products to cause disposal problems, and the
desire to recover valuable materials from these products.
According to Raymond Communications, more than two dozen
e-waste bills are under consideration by state legislatures."
"Not meeting these requirements will be costly for
companies and also tarnish their reputation as they
come under increasing public scrutiny." (ISIS)
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