EIATRACK Regulatory Alerts

CONAMA Announces First Session of New E-Waste Working Group

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

As reported, Brazil�s environmental regulatory agency, CONAMA, moved to abandon its piecemeal approach to regulating EOL products and opted instead to create a WEEE Working Group. (See Link below)

Senate Bill Requiring Energy Efficiency Labeling Approved in Committee

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

As reported, a 2007 Senate bill that would require all products to list their energy efficiency and consumption gained traction earlier this year. Now, a modified version of Bill 220/2007 has been approved by the Environment Committee in the Senate, allowing it to move to the floor for a plenary vote.

Product Stewardship Legislation Announced for Televisions and Computers in Australia

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

Within the context of a new National Waste Policy endorsed by the nation�s environment ministers, Commonwealth legislation will underpin new industry-operated collection and recycling schemes for electronic waste, and will be up and running in or before 2011.

DOE Announces Increased Enforcement of Federal Energy Efficiency Standards

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

On October 13, 2009, the Department of Energy (�DOE�) announced three steps to increase its enforcement of appliance efficiency standards. First, DOE will create a special enforcement team under its General Counsel. Second, DOE plans to launch a certification compliance review program with random selection of manufacturers to be reviewed. Third, DOE has issued guidance intended to clarify its authority to enforce its energy efficiency regulations.

European Commission amends Annex to RoHS Directive; some additional exemptions for applications of lead, cadmium and mercury, and expiration date for lead in RIG Faraday rotators

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:00:00 PST

In June 2009, the European Commission adopted two decisions amending the Annex to the RoHS Directive. The Commission adopted an expiration date for one exemption and decided to adopt an expiration date for the exemption for Lead as impurity in RIG (rare earth iron garnet) Faraday rotators used for fibre optic communications systems.

Energy Efficiency Matrix Upated

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:00:00 PDT

The matrix of Enacted Federal and State Energy Efficiency Legislation in the United States has been updated and is now posted on the EIATRACK website.

Wisconsin Product Take-Back Law

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:00:00 PDT

The state of Wisconsin has passed comprehensive product take-back legislation that requires manufacturers of covered electronic devices in the state to register and recycle eligible electronic devices. Notably, the law includes both performance standards based upon the covered electronic devices sold and variable penalties for manufacturers that fall short of those standards. ---

House Subcommittee Holds Hearing on IT Procurement and Disposal

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:00:00 PDT

The U.S. House Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement held a hearing today on the topic of �IT Procurement and Disposal: Application of the Federal Government�s Green Policies in the Life Cycle Management of its IT Assets.� The intended focus of the hearing was to examine the federal government�s life cycle management of its significant IT assets, from green procurement to end-of-life management, and to explore ways to improve government practices. The discussion, however, ranged beyond government practices to broader concerns over the management of e-waste in the United States, with a particular emphasis on the regulation of e-waste exports and the role of the federal government to improve e-waste management in the U.S.

Council of Ministers support different scopes for WEEE and RoHS Directives

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:00:00 PDT

In a policy debate on the proposed revision of the RoHS and WEEE Directives during the Council meeting on Wednesday October 21, 2009, the EU Environment Ministers supported the position that these two directives should have different scopes.

Claims about Antimicrobial Nanosilver Keyboards Result in $205,000 Penalty for Samsung

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 23:00:00 PDT

On October 21, 2009, Region 2 of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Samsung had agreed to pay a $205,000 fine for violating the federal pesticide law and to stop making claims that nanosilver used in the keyboards for its netbooks and notebook computer laptops protects users from germs.