10 th world electronics forum washington dc, usa 22-24 september 2004 environmental issues panel

10th World Electronics ForumWashington DC, USA

22-24 September 2004ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES PANEL

Ensuring Market Access through Compliance with Global

Environmental Restrictions

Jennifer Liston, Director – Electronics & ICT, AEEMA

AEEMA – Committed to Australia’s ICT, electronics and electrical manufacturing industries



WHAT IS HAPPENING IN AUSTRALIA?




The Environmental Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) consists of Environment Ministers and executives from all State and Territory governments. (six states, two territories)

The EPHC has identified product stewardship as a priority area for national action.

The EPHC has established an ‘Electrical and Electronics’ waste sub-group to target electronic waste.




Australian Government looking at harmonising with the EU Directive on Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in Electrical and Electronic Products.

Australian Government has just released for public comment an ICT discussion paper Measures to support environmentally friendly ICT.




The NSW Government Waste Resource Recovery Act 2001 establishes a scheme to promote product stewardship. It provides for regulation of extended producer responsibility schemes in connection with a product, groups of products or an industry in NSW.




The NSW Government released an Extended Producer Responsibility Statement in March 2004. It identified PCs and TVs as key products for initial industry attention.

The Victorian Government has targetted electronics (TVs, PCs) as a priority action area for product stewardship.




PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP. Australian Governments (Federal and State) are examining the potential for strengthened regulatory arrangements which could provide a safety net to support voluntary industry initiatives in specific product sectors.

NATIONAL PACKAGING COVENANT. In January 2004, 560 Australian companies had signed the national packaging covenant, which aims to reduce the environmental impacts of packaging. This is a co-regulatory agreement between companies in the packaging chain, and all spheres of government.




NATIONAL ENERGY STAR PROGRAM. Based on international standards for energy-efficient office equipment (PCs, printers, etc). Sets high energy efficiency performance criteria for the product to qualify for the Energy Star label.

ENERGY-EFFICIENT COMPUTERS. Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for PCs and monitors are being developed by the Australian Government in consultation with the US, China and the EU through Standards Australia Committee TE-001. Computer products would be labelled to identify energy-efficient products.




MOBILE PHONES. The Mobile Phone Industry Recycling Program began in 2000. This voluntary, industry-funded scheme has 1,600 collection points across Australia. 1.5 million batteries and handsets have been collected to date.

COMPUTER WASTE. The Recycle-IT! scheme for recycling computer waste was trialled in Western Sydney in 2003. A national scheme is in development.




TVS AND COMPUTER MONITORS. Following a successful pilot TV take-back program, the Consumer Electronic Suppliers Association (administered by AEEMA) has established a Producer Responsibility Organisation to manage end-of-life disposal of TVs.

Product Stewardship Australia (PSA) is a critical first step towards the implementation of a national collection and processing scheme for end-of-life products.




Safety net regulation will be introduced to ensure that all suppliers participate in a scheme to manage the end of life disposal of TV receivers.

All suppliers in the Australian market will be required to demonstrate that they are participating in an approved scheme, or are conducting their own take-back and recycling programme.




Issues facing take-back schemes ahead of full co-regulatory schemes include:

Waste management industry capacity Collection and infrastructure options Community education Stakeholder commitment Cost




With the support of its Board and members, AEEMA is taking a whole-of-association approach to the issue of extended producer responsibility.

This pro-active rather than reactive approach will ensure industry is on the ‘front foot’ with respect to potential legislation.




Thank You!

For more information visit www.aeema.asn.au


10 th world electronics forum washington dc, usa 22-24 september 2004 environmental issues panel

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