http://www.eiatrack.com EIATRACK - The global benchmark in environmental intelligence and product oriented regulatory tracking for the electronics industry en-us copyright (c) 2005 EIATRACK Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:47:39 CDT http://www.eiatrack.org/reg_alerts/regulatory_alert_detail.php?id=1565 Spain has transposed the EU Battery Directive (Directive 2006/66 of 6 September 2006) through the Royal Decree on batteries and accumulators and the environmental management of their residues (the “Decree“). The Decree was adopted on 1 February 2008, and it will enter into force on 26 September 2008. The Spanish Ministry of Environment and the competent authorities of the autonomous regions are responsible for administering and enforcing the Decree. In accordance with an amendment to the Battery Directive, the Decree provides that batteries and accumulators that do not meet the applicable requirements must not be placed on the market after 26 September 2008. Wed, 23 Jul 2008 0:00:00 CST http://www.eiatrack.org/reg_alerts/regulatory_alert_detail.php?id=1564 Austria has transposed the EU Battery Directive 2006/66 of 6 September 2006 through the Ordinance of the Federal Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management on Waste Prevention, Collection and Treatment of Spent Batteries and Accumulators (the “Battery Ordinance“) and by amending the Austrian Waste Act. The Battery Ordinance was adopted on 15 May 2008, and it will enter into force on 26 September 2008. The Austrian Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management is responsible for administering and enforcing the requirements of the Ordinance. In accordance with the amendment of the Battery Directive, the Ordinance provides that batteries and accumulators that do not meet the applicable requirements must not be placed on the market after 26 September 2008. Tue, 22 Jul 2008 0:00:00 CST http://www.eiatrack.org/reg_alerts/regulatory_alert_detail.php?id=1561 Finland has transposed the EU Battery Directive 2006/66 of 6 September 2006 through the Decree on Batteries and Accumulators (the "Decree"). The Decree was adopted on 19 June 2008, and will enter into force on 26 September 2008. The Finnish Ministry of Environment and the Pirkanmaa Regional Environment Centre are responsible for administering the Decree and the Safety Technical Authority TUKES is responsible for enforcing its requirements. In accordance with an amendment to the Battery Directive, the Decree provides that batteries and accumulators that do not meet the applicable requirements must not be placed on the market after 26 September 2008. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 0:00:00 CST http://www.eiatrack.org/reg_alerts/regulatory_alert_detail.php?id=1562 On July 10, 2008, Governor Blunt signed S.B. 1181 into law. In a press release, the Governor's office emphasized a provision in the legislation that creates a "Show-Me Green Sales Tax Holiday" between April 19th and April 25th, during which all sales of new Energy Star appliances, up to $1,500, will be exempt from the state sales tax. Sun, 20 Jul 2008 0:00:00 CST http://www.eiatrack.org/reg_alerts/regulatory_alert_detail.php?id=1563 A new Mexican bill calls for a ban on import, manufacture, sale or distribution of mercury, nickel-cadmium, silver oxide and zinc batteries (the "Bill"). This new Bill follows on the earlier call for agency action by the Bill's author, urging the environmental agency (SEMARNAT) to issue a battery disposal standard. (See Link below.) As reported, SEMARNAT has been working on such a rule (an official Mexican standard or “NOM”) for some time but has not published a final version. (See Link below.) Sun, 20 Jul 2008 0:00:00 CST http://www.eiatrack.org/reg_alerts/regulatory_alert_detail.php?id=1560 A new bill in Brazil's Chamber of Deputies would ban common incandescent bulbs by 2013 (PL 3652/08 or the "Bill"). This initiative defines the banned bulbs more narrowly than a similar 2007 bill to which it has been annexed for joint consideration. In moving forward with this proposed ban, Brazil joins its Mercosul neighbor, Argentina, where a similar proposal has been approved by its lower house and sent to its Senate for a vote. (See Link for coverage of the Argentine proposal.) Wed, 16 Jul 2008 0:00:00 CST http://www.eiatrack.org/reg_alerts/regulatory_alert_detail.php?id=1559 The Lithuanian government has taken significant steps to transpose the EU Battery Directive (Directive 2006/66 on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators). Following a broad public consultation, in May 2008, the Government approved the Draft Amendment of the Law on Waste Management by Resolution No 205. The Draft Amendment has been sent to the Parliament for approval, which is expected to adopt the law shortly. In addition, an amendment of the Rules on Management of Spent Batteries and Accumulators and amendment of the Requirements on Placing on the Market of Batteries and Accumulators are scheduled to be adopted after the adoption of the Amendment of the Law on Waste Management by the Parliament. This should be completed by 26 September 2008. Both draft amendments are still under preparation. Tue, 15 Jul 2008 0:00:00 CST http://www.eiatrack.org/reg_alerts/regulatory_alert_detail.php?id=1557 Rhode Island has enacted legislation amending its existing "Electronic Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling Act" (the "Act") to establish a manufacturer-financed system for the collection, recycling, and reuse of covered electronic products in the state. S.B. 2631 (the “Senate Bill”), which was signed by Governor Carcieri on June 27, 2008, also amends the definition of “covered electronic products” (CEPs) and distinguishes between televisions and other CEPs. Unless otherwise noted, the Senate Bill took effect upon passage. Mon, 14 Jul 2008 0:00:00 CST http://www.eiatrack.org/reg_alerts/regulatory_alert_detail.php?id=1558 Over the Governor's veto, the Hawaii legislature enacted S.B. 2843 into law on July 8, 2008. The bill creates the Electronic Waste Recycling Act ("the Act"). The legislature overrode the veto with a 2/3 majority on the same day that Governor Lingle issued her veto. The Act establishes an electronic device recycling program that makes manufacturers responsible for implementing product take-back and recycling programs. Mon, 14 Jul 2008 0:00:00 CST http://www.eiatrack.org/reg_alerts/regulatory_alert_detail.php?id=1556 Ontario's Environment Ministry has announced its approval of the industry-led Phase I Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Program Plan ("WEEE Plan"). Covered products under Phase I include desktop and portable computers, computer peripherals (i.e., drives, keyboards, mice), monitors, printing devices (including fax machines), and televisions. Industry Stewards, which include brand owners, first importers and/or assemblers of covered Phase I products, are responsible for participating in the program or developing an individual Industry Stewardship Plan approved by Waste Diversion Ontario (“WDO”). Sun, 13 Jul 2008 0:00:00 CST