[ Close Window ]  

Resources: Policy and Government

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)

[ Close Window ]