Global Environmental Legislation

Europe - RoHS WEEE

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive (2002/96/EC)
in force August 13, 2005

The Restrictions of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (2002/95/EC)
in force July 1, 2006

The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union in response to the increasing volume of electronic waste destined for incineration or landfills saw a need for better management of “hazardous” municipal waste. On January 27, 2003 the council convened and adopted the 2002/95/EC directive commonly referred to as the RoHS directive and the 2002/96/EC directive commonly known as the WEEE directive.

  Download WEEE Directive

  Download RoHS Directive

  Download RoHS Directive Amendment   (additional EEE exemptions)

Japan - JGPSSI

Japan Green Procurement Survey Standardization Initiative (JGPSSI )
in force July 1, 2006

In 1998, while the European Union was beginning its discussions about increasing hazardous waste destined for their landfills, The Ministry of Trade and Industry in Japan proposed recycling legislation to reduce the use of lead in electronics. They targeted a 50% reduction of lead use by 2000 and two-thirds by 2005. Japanese Home Electronics Recycling Law called for OEM’s in Japan to be prepared to collect and recycle four major products by April 1, 2001. More recently Japan has established the Japan Green Procurement Survey Standardization Initiative (JGPSSI ).

  Download JGPSSI Initiative (English Translation)

In addition, the Japanese Home Electronics Recycling Law mandated that Japanese OEMs be prepared to collect and recycle air conditioners, refrigerators, televisions and washing machines by April 2001.

In 2001, Japan also updated a decade-old recycling law to address PCs. Since October 2003, that law has required the recycling of PCs discarded by both private citizens and businesses.

China - RPCEP

Regulation for Pollution Control of Electronic Products (RPCEP)
in force July 1, 2006

The electronics industry is one of the fastest growing industries in China. The rate of waste accumulation from domestic consumption has been increasing steadily as has hazardous scrap being shipped to China from other countries for reclamation. In response, the Ministry of Information Industry (MII) has drafted the Regulation for Pollution Control of Electronic Products (RPCEP) scheduled to go into effect July 1, 2006. This legislation is similar to WEEE/RoHS restricting hazardous substances.

It applies to electronic information products and parts made with electronic information technology only, a much smaller list than that of the EU however it is comprehensive with no exemptions unlike the European directives which list broad categories with large groups of exemptions. As a result, the Chinese directive is much less complicated.

Products restricted by the RPCEP

• electronic radar products
• electronic communication products
• broadcast and television products
• computer products
• household electronic products
• electronic measurement and instrument products
• electronic products for special use
• electronic component products
• electronic application products
• electronic material products
• software products

• Restricted materials
• Country of origin
• Environmental safe period
• Packaging materials

Testing and certification

• Testing & certification Is a prerequisite
• Chinese Lab test results only
• Will be added to existing CCC (China Compulsory Certification) mark system

Imports into China

• Subject to examination and inspection at the entry port by inspection and quarantine authorities
• Certification issued at that point; product then is released from Customs
• No definition of the inspection or certification processes or requirements in this document

China is also apparently developing its own WEEE legislation, dubbed Management Regulations on the Recycling of Used Household Electrical Products and Electronic Products.

  Download RPCEP Regulation (Simplified Chinese)

Korea

Korea has adopted a voluntary program to phase out hazardous chemicals banned in the RoHS Directive. An overwhelming majority of companies in Korea are voluntarily eliminating these chemicals from their production processes to ensure that they are able to maintain access to European markets.

South Korea has also legislated electronics recycling, requiring producers and importers to take back and recycle both their products and packaging. The legislation created recycling targets for a number of electrical and electronic equipment. Manufacturers of computers and televisions must recycle 65 percent of their products in 2006. Mobile phone and audio equipment manufacturers are required to reach 70 percent in 2006.

United States

Currently, the United States does not have federal legislation restricting the use of hazardous chemicals or the disposal of waste electronics. However, pressure from global companies selling into Europe and Asia requires them to meet WEEE/RoHS directive requirements. The EPA is requesting United States industries to reduce the use of lead, and other “hazardous” materials.

A number of states, however within the United States are considering RoHS- and WEEE-like legislation, and California has already adopted RoHS legislation that mirrors the laws going into effect in Europe.

The California law goes into effect at the beginning of 2007. Devices that don't meet that criteria won't be able to be manufactured, sold or imported into California after Jan. 1, 2007. However, the California legislation is not as broad as the European legislation in terms of the devices covered; the California laws won't cover mobile phones or DVD players, for example and applies almost entirely to monitors and television screens.

SB20 & SB50 Electronic Waste Recycling Act (EWRA): California, USA
in force January 1, 2007

Devices covered under EWRA

• Cathode ray tube containing devices (CRT devices)
• Cathode ray tubes (CRTs)
• Computer monitors containing CRTs
• Laptop computers with liquid crystal display (LCD) screens
• LCD containing desktop monitors
• Televisions containing CRTs
• Televisions containing LCD screens
• Plasma televisions

Device Fee Schedule

• $6 Screens above four inches but less than 15 inches
• $8 Screens 15 inches but less than 35 inches
• $10 Screens 35 inches or more

Restricted Substances

• Lead (<0.1%)
• Mercury (<0.1%)
• Cadmium (<0.01%)
• Hexavalent chromium (<0.1%)

Exemptions

The EWRA honors all exemptions declared by the EU's RoHS directives.

  Download Electronic Waste Recycling Act Guide

Soon to Adopting the RoHS-like legislation are Australia, Canada and Taiwan