Asian Environmental Proposals and Regulations ExplainedChina | Japan | Taiwan | KoreaChinaOn 1 March, 2006, the People's Republic of China released its final version of their RoHS-like law. The directive is titled "Administration on the Control of Pollution Caused by Electronic Information Products" and is slated to be in force by 1 March, 2007. According to China's Ministry of Information Industry (MII), a companion catalogue will be published (time unknown) to define exactly which electronic products are covered by the law as well as to define which substances are to be restricted and an associated timeline. It is expected that the material restrictions will mimic the European Union's RoHS Directive but also leave open the possibility for "other toxic and harmful substances or elements provided by the State." Although not fully defined it is clear that China will impose a variety of marking requirements on the products covered by this law. Marking requirements will cover:
In addition, the law requires inspection at customs and the requirement for certification. This certification requires testing at the homogeneous material level in China, by certified Chinese labs. Latest News: >> Chinese delegation to explain new environmental regulations to leaders in the high-tech industry in California and Texas. (16 October, 2006) >> An official version of the China law is not yet available in English but can be viewed on the Ministry of Information Industry site in Chinese. (10 May, 2006) >> AeA unofficial English translations of Chinese environmental regulations. (14 December, 2006)
>> Read the SEMI Regulatory Alert on China RoHS (PDF) for a synopsis of the latest developments and links to further resouces. (14 November, 2006) >> Learn more about China's promulgation of its RoHS directive in an article titled "China Releases its RoHS Law". (7 March, 2006) >> Read about the differences between China's proposed environmental legislation and the EU's RoHS Directive in the Green Supply Line article titled "Fill In the Blanks: China's Open-Ended RoHS Requirements Raise Concern". (19 December, 2005) >> Read about the challenges associated with the anticipated timeline for China's proposed environmental legislation in the Green Supply Line aritlce title " Soft Launch for China RoHS in July". (19 December, 2005)
JapanConsumer electronics, with short life cycles and high volume, are the bulk of Japan's electronic equipment output. As these products are disposed of, there is a high potential for large quantities of lead and other hazardous wastes to end up in landfills. Japan has very limited land-fill space remaining. Japan has been on the forefront of environmental initiatives to keep hazardous wastes from electronics out of the environment. The Japan Green Procurement Survey Standardisation Initiative (JGPSSI) is a voluntary collaboration of Japanese companies to qualify and select their suppliers by surveying them using a standard form. In order to be successful, suppliers must eliminate as many as 35 hazardous substances from their products. Many suppliers have set proactive, voluntary declarations requirements and deadlines for the elimination of leaded solders and other hazardous chemicals from electronics because of the JGPSSI. The Home Appliances Recycling Law (HARL), enacted in Japan in 2001, requires retailers and manufacturers to take back and recycle many home appliances such as televisions, air conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators from private households. This law requires manufacturers, retailers and importers of these products into Japan to publicly declare their collection and recycling fees to consumers. While the Japanese law and WEEE are alike in making the producer responsible for the logistics of collecting and recycling products, the major difference between them is that in Japan the consumer pays a separate disposal fee while in the EU the disposal costs must be hidden in the purchase price of the product.
TaiwanThe Taiwanese government has indicated that it will help its manufacturers as it conforms to and initiates hazardous substance regulations similar to the EU Directive. Taiwan has already had recycling legislation in force since March 1998 for IT equipment, household appliances and air conditioning equipment. Manufacturers pay fees to local government based on sales. There are, however, plans to update legislation which may be based on the EU WEEE directive. Korea issued RoHS/WEEE/ELV-like legislation called "The Act for Resource Recycling of Electrical/Electronic Products and Automobiles" to the World Trade Organization on 30 March, 2006. Learn more.
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