Green regulations outside the European Union
Environmental rules are expanding in America and around the world
BY KEN MANCHEN
Newark InOne
Chicago, IL
http://www.newarkinone.com/rohs
The European Union's Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directives are the driving forces for environmental legislation being enacted closer to home, and well beyond Europe. Here's a brief overview.
Regulations from California to Maine�and beyond�are scheduled to go into effect to address waste from electronic devices.
California legislation
The California Electronic Waste Recycling Act imposes a fee on “covered electronic devices” currently being sold in California. The fee is intended to cover the cost of properly disposing of the products when they become waste.
It also requires “covered electronic devices” sold in California after January 1, 2007 to meet the same requirements as those found in the RoHS legislation, but for a very limited product range. The California Department of Toxic Substances (DTSC) is responsible for defining what is, and is not, a “covered electronic device.” The DTSC currently defines these as a new or refurbished video display device with a screen size of more than 4 in. measured diagonally. These devices include:
� TVs that contain cathode ray tubes (CRTs) or liquid crystal display screens (LCDs).
� Computer monitors that contain CRTs or LCDs.
� Laptop computers with LCD displays.
� “Bare” CRTs or any other product that contains a CRT.
� Plasma TVs.
Exempted devices are those:
� Used and not refurbished.
� Part of a motor vehicle or replacement parts for use in a motor vehicle.
� Contained within a household appliance (clothes washer, dryer, refrigerator, freezer, oven, range, dishwasher, air conditioner, dehumidifier, or air purifier).
These covered electronic devices containing toxic metals and not complying may not be manufactured, sold, or imported into California after January 1, 2007.
The other 49 states and Canada
Electronic hazardous substance content legislation is currently in effect in Maine that calls upon manufacturers to reduce, and to the extent feasible, remove hazardous substances from their electronic products and components. Similar (RoHS-type) legislation has also been proposed in New Jersey, Texas, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Nova Scotia (Canada). In addition, 10 states currently have legislation addressing mercury content and 12 have laws regulating toxic flame-retardant content. The U.S. Congress is also holding hearings to determine need for national legislation.
One way to keep abreast of current and developing North American electronic product legislation is to visit the Newark InOne RoHS Express site at www.newarkinone.com/rohs. A detailed state-by-state and Canadian province overview is provided and updated regularly.
The rest of the world
Seven other non-EU member countries have current or proposed legislation addressing the disposal of waste electronic products: Canada�Alberta (provincial electronics recycling program), China (Administration on the Control of Pollution Caused by Electronic Information Products and Management Regulation on the Recycling and Treatment of Disposed Appliances and Electronics Products), Japan (Home Electronics Recycling Law and JEITA/JEMA product recycling initiatives), South Korea (Act on The Promotion of Saving and Recycling of Resources), Switzerland (ordinance requires manufacturers, importers, and dealers of electrical and electronic appliances to take back EOL appliances), and Taiwan (Ministry of Economic Affairs G Plan).
Australia is expected to be the next country to join the list. Currently several industry and government initiatives are underway there to establish national collection and recycling schemes for televisions, computers, and peripherals such as printers and scanners.
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