When you think of crime stings, familiar images from movies and television probably come to mind: the violent bad guy brought down by brave policemen, or rings of illicit substances broken up by dedicated agents. Of course, there are other bad guys out there with stories perhaps not as ready-made for dramatic TV shows, but just as callous and dangerous. The UK is currently making its case against a group of such defendants, accused of illegally exporting waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) for disposal in Nigeria, against regulations.
The benefits of WEEE compliance far outweigh its costs, but there will always be the few, trying to save money or time by working outside the lines. By inspecting outgoing shipping containers – in scenes that actually bring to mind at least one popular television program, The Wire – UK inspectors discovered the illegal export of 158 tons of contraband refuse. Rather than safe and contained disposal, these hazardous components would have been disassembled and discarded by children and poor workers overseas, in addition to setting back the goals of the UK’s compliance program.
Etratech will keep a close eye on the developments in this case. For more WEEE and RoHS news, stay tuned to our blog!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Monday, November 21, 2011
China Gets on Board with RoHS
At Etratech, our vested interest in the environment leads us to some interesting places when following world developments in this area. It can almost be like watching a tennis match, with our necks craning back and forth as promising international developments and commitments occur, only to be followed up with discouraging news on pollution, abuse of the environment, and worse. Of course, we’d like to bring some good news to our loyal blog audience, which takes us to the big events in China this month.
In the works for five years, an RoHS-like law took effect in China on November 1, 2011. Please forgive this posting’s misleading headline – it was easier than saying “China Gets on Board with RoHS-esque Voluntary Compliance Directive,” which is more accurate. That’s not to take away from the directive’s effectiveness, or our optimism at the influence that such a major manufacturing market might have on the rest of the world. Just like RoHS, China’s new law, called the Administration on the Control of Pollution Caused by Electronic Information Products, will keep hazardous and restricted materials out of a number of common electronic devices, including computers, televisions, phones, and more.
Unlike the standard RoHS, compliance with China’s law is voluntary. So why would manufacturers choose to follow it, besides their realization that it’s the right thing to do? For one thing, compliant products will be labeled as such, giving consumers a clear idea of which products are safer to bring into their homes. For another, manufacturers who choose to comply will receive preferential treatment in government procurement agreements. We’re excited for this and more developments in the ongoing quest for environmental consciousness and consumer safety.
In the works for five years, an RoHS-like law took effect in China on November 1, 2011. Please forgive this posting’s misleading headline – it was easier than saying “China Gets on Board with RoHS-esque Voluntary Compliance Directive,” which is more accurate. That’s not to take away from the directive’s effectiveness, or our optimism at the influence that such a major manufacturing market might have on the rest of the world. Just like RoHS, China’s new law, called the Administration on the Control of Pollution Caused by Electronic Information Products, will keep hazardous and restricted materials out of a number of common electronic devices, including computers, televisions, phones, and more.
Unlike the standard RoHS, compliance with China’s law is voluntary. So why would manufacturers choose to follow it, besides their realization that it’s the right thing to do? For one thing, compliant products will be labeled as such, giving consumers a clear idea of which products are safer to bring into their homes. For another, manufacturers who choose to comply will receive preferential treatment in government procurement agreements. We’re excited for this and more developments in the ongoing quest for environmental consciousness and consumer safety.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
WEEE Collection Disagreement Solved?
Scorekeeping. From our earliest introduction to games of any type, the questions arise: not only who will keep count, but how will they do so? A similar issue comes up whenever benchmarks and standards are put into effect, and Europe’s Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is no exception. From its inception in 2003, there has been controversy over how electronic scrap and recovery will be recorded. The two opposing schools of thought are that numbers should be based either on actual waste generated, or on the quantity of electrical components placed on the market.
Three European trade organizations, FEAD, EERA, and EUROMETAUX, have suggested what’s probably the simplest solution: a compromise between the two. As you might imagine, that might be easier suggested than achieved, but the proposal certainly sounds feasible: establish new benchmarks that are tabulated in terms of waste generated, but also take the amount of electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market into account. We at Etratech look forward to a solution that proves most in line with our continuing commitment to sustainable production, For more information, click here.
Three European trade organizations, FEAD, EERA, and EUROMETAUX, have suggested what’s probably the simplest solution: a compromise between the two. As you might imagine, that might be easier suggested than achieved, but the proposal certainly sounds feasible: establish new benchmarks that are tabulated in terms of waste generated, but also take the amount of electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market into account. We at Etratech look forward to a solution that proves most in line with our continuing commitment to sustainable production, For more information, click here.
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