Norway Amends Proposed Law to Provide for More Stringent Chemical Restrictions
Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:00:00 GMT

The Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT) has amended a proposed law to provide additional restrictions on the content levels of substances that can be harmful to health and environment. The original proposal, which was released in May 2007, was intended to restrict the use of 18 substances in “consumer products.” The legislation was due to come into force by January 2008, but after industry comments the proposal has been withdrawn for revisions. The current proposal covers only 10 substances. More >>

Pursuant to REACH Regulation, European Commission Publishes Candidate List of Chemical Substances
Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:00:00 GMT

On 28 October 2008, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) released the so-called Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) for authorisation. The list currently includes 15 substances and will be regularly updated, when more substances are identified as SVHC. Substances on the Candidate List may become subject to the REACH authorisation regime by decision of the European Commission. More >>

BAN Announces Preparation of New Electronics Recycling Certification Initiative
Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:00:00 GMT

On November 10, 2008, the Basel Action Network ("BAN") announced that it will be leading the development of a new recycling certification program for North American recyclers of electronic waste called the "e-Stewards Initiative." The Initiative will be developed in partnership with the Electronics TakeBack Coalition and 32 electronics recyclers. It is scheduled to be piloted in 2009 with a full launch of an ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board certification system with third-party auditing by 2010. Among the 14 “e-Steward Founders” are Waste Management Recycle America and Sims Recycling Solutions. More >>

Mexico City Expands Collection Stations to Cover Cell Phones
Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Mexico City has quietly extended its existing battery collection program to include used cell phones. More >>

Sao Paulo Hosts E-Waste Collection Campaign
Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Citing the health and environmental hazards of improper disposal, Sao Paulo state's Secretary of the Environment hosted a one-day statewide e-waste collection drive in conjunction with the state's three hundred plus municipalities on October 30, 2008. More >>

Special Report: Brazil Publishes Amendments to Battery Take-Back Rule
Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:00:00 GMT

On November 5, 2008, Brazil's CONAMA published its long-awaited amendments to its 1999 battery content and take-back rule - new Resolution 401/2008 (repealing Resolution 257/99). The new Resolution goes into effect on November 5, 2008, although some obligations will require implementing standards and others will not apply to existing manufacturers and importers for twelve or twenty-four months. More >>

Costa Rica Update: Costa Rica's Emerging Waste Law
Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:00:00 GMT

Costa Rica continues to advance toward enactment of a progressive framework solid waste law as part of its greater Solid Waste Plan (Spanish acronym "PRESOL") adopted earlier this year. (See Link below on PRESOL.) As reported, Costa Rica unveiled an entirely new bill, titled the “Law on Integral Waste Management” (Bill 15.897 or the “Bill”) in 2007 that included a broad extended producer responsibility section that could feasibly cover all electric and electronic products. (See Link below on the Bill.) The Environment Committee in Costa Rica’s unicameral legislature recently approved a revised version of the Bill for debate before the plenary session. Now would be an opportune time for public comments to be submitted on the Bill. More >>

Argentina Update: Sweeping WEEE-RoHS Bill Proposed in Senate
Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:00:00 GMT

The head of the Environment Committee in the Argentine Senate has presented a sweeping bill that blends the EU WEEE and RoHS Directives with a new concept of "Extended Individual Producer Responsibility." Backed by both Greenpeace and Professor Thomas Lundqvist, touted as the creator of the EPR concept, Bill S-3532-08 (the “Bill”) would have a major impact on producers, importers, and merchants of everything from white goods to computers by requiring them to pay annual fees to a new national WEEE Management Entity based on type and quantity of products they placed on the market. In addition, producers and importers would be required to design equipment such that the six RoHS substances (lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB, PBDE) as well as others determined to be contaminants to be reduced to a minimum or completely eliminated. This Bill merits careful review and tracking due to its breadth, its apparent backing, and its vanguard policies. More >>

USA Enacted Restricted Substance Legislation Matrix is Now Available
Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:00:00 GMT

The matrix summarizing enacted legislation covering restricted substances such as brominated flame retardants and mercury has been updated. In addition to providing a summary of the legislation in question, the matrix includes information regarding the legislation’s scope and effective date(s), as well as whether it contains RoHS-like provisions. More >>

Subject report Updated: Product Take back in Czech Republic
Mon, 10 Nov 2008 06:00:00 GMT

The Czech Republic has implemented the WEEE and RoHS Directives through Act No 7/2005, which amends the general waste management law of the Czech Republic (Act 185/2001 ). Act 7/2005 transposed the broad principles of the WEEE Directive and entered into force on 6 January 2005. In addition, the Ministry of Environment issued Decree 352/2005 which provides further details of management of electrical and electronic equipment and waste electrical and electronic equipment, and of financial responsibility. More >>