EIATRACK Regulatory Alerts

Manitoba Issues Electronics Stewardship Regulation

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:00:00 PST

Manitoba's provincial government registered last week a final Electrical and Electronic Equipment Stewardship Regulation (the "Regulation") under The Waste Reduction and Prevention Act that requires "stewards"to finance and participate in approved, province-wide stewardship programs for designated electronic products by April 1, 2011. The Regulation is similar to the draft Regulation that was issued for comment in late 2007, with the exception of several key changes to the covered products list. The similarities between the 2007 draft and final Regulation suggest that Manitoba�s environmental agency, Manitoba Conservation, may also soon issue guidelines on program requirements that draw significantly from those it issued in conjunction with the draft Regulation in 2007.

Chilean Industry Agrees to Voluntary E-Waste Take-Back Obligations

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:00:00 PST

As reported last year, Chile has been moving forward with its plans for a new General Waste Law that calls for EPR for end-of-life products, including electronics. (See Link below) In advance of that legal requirement, the national environmental agency (CONAMA), a regional e-waste consortia (RELAC-Sur), and five tech companies have signed a voluntary agreement in which the companies commit to take-back their WEEE within Chile (the �Agreement�). This Agreement is a precursor to mandatory WEEE regulation that Chile is developing under the framework of a draft General Waste Law (still under development).

EPA Publishes Final Rule Revising Hazardous Waste and Spent Lead-Acid Battery Transboundary Shipment Requirements

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:00:00 PST

On January 8, 2010, the Environment Protection Agency ("EPA" published its Final Rule revising a number of sections of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA") that apply to shipments of hazardous waste and exports of spent lead-acid batteries (�SLABs�). The majority of the revisions are intended to align RCRA with the changes that have been made within the past decade to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (�OECD�) Council Decision on the control of transboundary movements of wastes destined for recovery operations (�Council Decision C(2001)107�). Changes have also been made to the requirements for exports of SLABs, including those related to notice and consent, tracking, reporting and recordkeeping. The Final Rule also includes minor revisions to general hazardous waste import and export requirements, including changes to the procedures for submitting exception reports.

Committee Established to Review and Frame E-Waste Rules

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:00:00 PST

The Ministry of Environment and Forests ("MoEF") has constituted a four-member committee to frame the E-waste rules under the Environment Protection Act ("EPA"). The committee comprises Mr. K. P. Nyati of the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries, Mr. Vinnie Mehta of the Manufacturers Association for Information Technology, Ms. Purnamita Dasgupta of the Institute of Economic Growth, Delhi, and a representative from the Central Pollution Control Board.

Brazil's GHS Standards for Chemical Classification and Labeling Revised

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:00:00 PST

As previously reported (see Link below), in late 2009 Brazil's standard-setting organization (ABNT) adopted new standards that follow the UN's Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals ("GHS"). The ABNT has made minor changes to the text of three of the rules.

CONAMA Considers Rescinding Provision for Customs Service Monitoring of Battery Labeling

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:00:00 PST

The Technical Panel on Health, Environmental Sanitation, and Waste Management of Brazil's National Environmental Council ("CONAMA") is considering a proposal (# 02000.002912/2009-98) to revoke a provision of CONAMA Resolution 401/2008, which sets federal standards for lead, cadmium and mercury content in batteries. At issue is the final paragraph of Article 16, a single sentence that requires Brazil�s customs service to enforce battery labeling provisions as a prerequisite to customs clearance.

Matrix of Enacted Product Labeling Legislation is Now Available

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:00:00 PST

EIATRACK has updated its matrix summarizing recently enacted Product Labeling laws. The matrix covers labeling legislation dealing with a wide variety of topics including restricted substances, energy efficiency and recycling. Maine and Wisconsin have passed legislation since EIATRACK last posted its labeling matrix. The matrix includes a link to the enacted legislation, its effective date, a brief summary of the labeling requirements and the scope of products covered.

Mexico Pages Completely Updated

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 22:00:00 PST

All subject pages for Mexico have been completely updated. Links to the new content pages can be found below.

SAICM Activities Focus on the Electronics Sector

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 22:00:00 PST

The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management ("SAICM") is moving forward on two activities that focus on the notification and use of chemicals in electronic products. The first activity, Hazardous Substances and the Life Cycle of Electrical and Electronic Products (�Hazardous Substances in Electronics�), will hold a workshop from May 17-21, 2010 in Geneva to identify and assess issues related to the sound management of chemicals during the life span of electronic products. The second activity, Chemicals in Products (�CiP�), recently identified computers, cell phones and other electronic goods as one of six priority product sectors for future work on chemicals notification.

Matrices of Pending Product Take-Back and Restricted Substance Legislation in the USA now available

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:00:00 PST

Two new matrices are available covering the topics of Product Take-Back and Restricted Substances.