International Laws
The European Union has adopted two directives regarding electronic products: WEEE (The Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and RoHS (The Restriction on Hazardous Substances). WEEE and RoHS establish that electronics manufacturers are required to handle their own e-waste and must eliminate certain hazardous substances in production. The proposed REACH policy (The Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals) would create a rigid regulatory framework for chemicals if passed.
Info on WEEE legislation from the EU
Info on the RoHS legislation from the UK
Info on REACH from the EU
Info on EPR and electronics in Europe from CPA
Key Components of the EU’s WEEE & RoHS Directives
- Wide range of electronics products are covered, ranging from computers to hair dryers to refrigerators to electronic toys.
- Free e-waste collection for consumers. Consumers can return e-waste to collection points free of charge. Individual manufacturers bear the costs of organizing disposal, recycling, and reuse of all products they put on the market after 2005.
- Ban on hazardous substances. The compromise reached bans on the use of substances such as lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, and certain brominated flame retardants by July 1, 2006.
- Must be designed for recycling. The WEEE Directive mandates that products must be designed for dismantling and recovery.
- Mandatory recycling labeling. Manufacturers must clearly label their products to allow for identification and to inform consumers that e-waste is banned from municipal waste and must be handled separately.
- E-waste collection measurement and recording. Manufacturers must meet a collection rate of four kilograms per person per year. The Directive also specifies recycling rates that increase over time.
Key Components of REACH
The Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) is expected to be approved in late 2006 or 2007. While it is impossible to know what will happen after final approval and subsequent implementation, there is a lot of hope that REACH will provide a model for chemical policy around the world, including:
- Registration of all Chemicals. All chemicals produced in or imported to the European Union will have to be registered with a new EU chemical agency.
- Public Information. New product labeling requirements will provide important information to the public about the chemicals to which we are exposed, creating a publicly available database of chemicals and their properties.
- Evaluation of New and Existing Chemicals. Risk screening and evaluation will be required for both new and existing chemicals with priority given to chemicals of highest concern.
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