Environmental responsibility brings pressure

As the electronics industry collects information to assure compliance with the EU's WEEE and RoHS Directives, it should be noted there are other drivers for producer responsibility.

As the electronics industry collects information to assure compliance with the EU's Weee and RoHS Directives, it should be noted there are other drivers for producer responsibility.

The growing annual volume of the electronics waste stream coupled with its environmental effects has spawned an increasingly large number of producer responsibility pressure points on the electronics industry.

Weee requires electronics producers to meet certain recycling and recovery targets in 2006 and to establish systems for the collection of electronics waste.

RoHS prohibits manufacturers from placing products on the market which contain lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium or brominated flame retardants after 1 July 2006.

Most electronics companies are focusing on these two directives and determining which of their products end up on the European market.

In fact, producer responsibility legislation related to electronics is emerging worldwide.

In 2003, California passed a law that imposes many Wee/RoHS-type requirements on electronics sold in the state.

Other U.S.

states with legislation in place or developing legislation include Florida, Maine, Minnesota, Michigan, New York, Texas and Washington.

The Canadian provinces are beginning to develop and enact legislation requiring electronics producers to take products back at the end of their useful life.

Producer responsibility legislation is developing in the Pacific Rim: China, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan are enacting laws concerning electronics design and disposal.

There are non-regulatory drivers too.

During the latter half of the 20th Century, the primary environmental focus was to make the manufacturing process less environmentally damaging.

The focus has shifted to pressuring manufacturers to produce environmentally friendly products.

The Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, an environmental action group, recently published its Fifth Annual Computer Report Card evaluating the environmental status of computer manufacturers.

Manufacturers are scored on criteria ranging from environmental design, to end-of-life product take back and protection of public health.

As recognition expands concerning the growing electronics waste stream, it is likely more environmental organizations will begin issuing product evaluation reports.

Green procurement practices are placing similar pressure on the industry.

A growing number of companies, government bodies and organisations are using product stewardship issues in their purchasing decisions.

In 2003, The California Medical Association passed a resolution encouraging members to adopt purchasing or leasing contracts with manufacturers that 1) reuse or recycle products at the end-of-life, 2) purchase and lease from manufacturers minimising the use of toxic substances, use recycled content and design products that can be easily recycled, and 3) do not export hazardous waste to developing countries.

This type of procurement requirement is likely to become commonplace in the coming months.

It is clear that the electronics industry will be receiving pressure from many sources in the years to come, to design their products in an environmentally sensitive manner and to set up systems for proper recycling and disposal at the end of their useful life.

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