EIATRACK Regulatory Alerts

Maine, Rhode Island, and Texas Product Take-Back Update

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:00:00 PDT

As state legislatures adjourn for the summer, important pieces of product take-back and disposal legislation have reached the Governors� desks in Maine, Rhode Island and Texas. Maine passed L.D. 536, expanding the state�s existing product take-back law. Rhode Island passed H.B. 338, which expands the scope of the state�s disposal ban as it relates to electronic equipment. Finally, the Texas legislature passed H.B. 821, which would have created a television take-back program in addition to the state�s existing computer take-back program, but Texas governor Perry vetoed the bill. The Texas state legislature will not reconsider the bill.

Australia Energy Efficiency Webinar

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 23:00:00 PDT

This Webinar, prepared and presented by John Gertsakis and Andrew Sweatman of WSP Environment and Energy Pty. Ltd.provides an overview of the Energy Efficiency initiatives in Australia, describing Energy Labels, Minimum Energy Perfomance Standards (MEPS), and analyzes implications for the electronics industry.

Subject Reports Update - USA New England States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:00:00 PDT

All subject reports for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont have been completely updated and are available on EIATRACK. The updated subject reports include Packaging and Labeling, Product Take-Back and Recycling, Hazardous Waste, Restricted Substances, and Energy Efficiency. The revised Restricted Substances reports incorporate content that was previously found in the individual reports for cadmium, chromium, flame retardants, lead, mercury, and batteries.

European Chemicals Agency releases guidance on substances in articles in nutshell format

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:00:00 PDT

The European Chemical Agency has published 2 "nutshell" guidance documents to assist industry with understanding and meeting the requirements of the REACH Regulation (EC) No1907 /2006. These new documents are intended to provide easier guidance to companies and complement the more detailed guidance documents previously published.

Oregon Expands Ban On Flame Retardants To Include Deca-BDE

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:00:00 PDT

On June 23, 2009, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski (D) signed a bill (S.B. 596) that will expand the list of brominated flame retardant ("BFR") chemicals designated as hazardous substances and prohibited from introduction into commerce to include decabrominated diphenyl ether (�decaBDE�).

Thailand RoHS Standard - English Translation Available

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:00:00 PDT

The Thai Industrial Standard Institute ("TISI") has adopted a new standard regarding chemical restrictions for electrical and electronic product (the "Thai RoHS Standard"), which became effective on 2 February 2009. The standard is non-binding. Under Thai law, there is no requirement to comply with this voluntary standard. Possible compliance benefits for companies are market-based and commercial; they may represent that their products comply with the Thai RoHS standard. Although the Thai RoHS Standard itself does not provide for a mark or label, companies meeting the Thai RoHS Standard may apply for a voluntary mark. The Thai RoHS Standard tracks the European Union RoHS Directive in respect of scope, exemptions, and substantive requirements. EIATRACK has procured an English translation of the Thai RoHS Standard, which is made available to subscribers on the site.

Additional Exemption from RoHS Substance Restrictions Have Been Adopted

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:00:00 PDT

On 10 June 2009, the European Commission adopted a Decision amending the Annex of the RoHS Directive. The Decision add a further 6 applications to the list of exempted applications.

China Plans Subsidy of Energy Efficient Electronics

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:00:00 PDT

In May, China's Ministry of Finance ("MoF") and the National Development and Reform Commission ("NDRC") issued a Circular and Interim Measures outlining a new program to provide subsidies to producers of certain high energy-efficient products. The first product announced under the program is energy efficient air-conditioners. It is expected that the subsidy program will expand to cover additional products, including flat screen televisions and computer monitors.

Matrix of Pending Recycling & Product Take Back Legislation in the USA

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:00:00 PDT

The updated state electronics recycling legislation matrix for June 10, 2009 is now available. Two bills are currently awaiting executive approval, including bills in Hawaii and Texas. Many legislatures have adjourned for the year, substantially reducing the quantity of active legislation in the matrix. Please note that rows highlighted in green are those bills that have become law. Rows highlighted in blue indicate bills that have recently been acted upon. Rows highlighted in grey are those bills that will no longer receive consideration this year.

New Version of Omnibus Waste Bill Exempts Electronics from Take-Back, Includes Provisions for Batteries and Packaging

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:00:00 PDT

The Special Working Group of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies has issued its long-awaited final draft of a streamlined omnibus solid waste bill, derived from two major initiatives and hundreds of others. The new National Solid Waste Policy Bill (the "Omnibus Bill") remains progressive, calling for shared responsibility over a product�s life cycle and take-back for certain EOL products.