Back to: SRI Online Training on E-Waste Management
Standardization
In this module, we’ll be focusing on the Importance of standardization in e-waste management, Elements of a standard, and International standards (CENELEC, ISO, e-Stewards, etc.).
Importance of standardization in e-waste management
- Sets a level playing field.
- Ensures safe and sustainable management of WEEE.
- Assists treatment operators in fulfilling the requirements of the WEEE Directive without placing unnecessary administrative burdens on operators of any size, including small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
- Gives additional guidance to operators.
- Covers the collection and logistics of WEEE to allow proper treatment.
Standards are required to regulate collection, sorting, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of WEEE. – WEEE FORUM
Where the norms and standards (N&S) sit in the grand scheme of things
The essence of Integrated Environmental Management (or Integrated Waste Management, IWM) is that all forms of pollution and their control must be underpinned by the underlying principle of uniformity and consistency. More specifically, these can be described as a system of checks and balances within an integrated institutional structure.
Key types of integration
- Legal integration, which means the existence of a single law, or the co-ordination of all laws dealing with pollution control, or the adoption of uniform norms and standards which are applied in a consistent way to pollution of all environmental media. – our attempts to navigate the plethora of regulations out there – coordination is a process and I am really looking forward to figuring this out with all of you.
- Institutional integration, which relates to the rationalisation and co-ordination of all government departments
- Scientific integration, which concerns the harmonisation of scientific standards and threshold pollution limits of all media.
Elements of N&S
The norms and standards are within the legal integration with the aims around coordinating all laws as a command and control mechanism.
Norms and Standards Characteristics
Technical and operational standard for management of WEEE
It is not policy
The Norms and Standards have the same legal standing as regulations.
Scope is not addressing every stakeholder in the value chain – only those involved in WEEE management.
CRITICAL:
What goes beyond the scope can find a place in the guidelines or the policy
International standards
CENELEC
ISO
- International Organisation for Standardisation
E-Stewards
- Standard for Responsible Recycling and Reuse of Electronic Equipment
Further reading
For additional context, we have included an optional PDF with further reading.