On May 14th, 2019, the Environmental and Natural Resources Ministry published a technical regulation draft regarding the management and final disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).
This initiative, categorized as NORTIC A8, aims to dictate the parameters for the purchase, use, and final disposal of Electrical / Electronic Equipment (EEE), through regulatory standards and policies to mitigate its harmful effects on the environment.
The regulation would apply to any natural or legal person that carries out activities involving the management and final disposal of WEEE in the national territory, mainly targeting companies dedicated to the manufacturing, marketing, assembling, and distribution of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE).
It also establishes the technical requirements for collection points or temporary storage of WEEE.
Handling Requirements for WEEE Collection
The collection of WEEE shall comply with the following handling requirements:
- The centers or collection points must be roofed and protected from environmental conditions.
- WEEE shall be temporarily disposed of in containers or boxes, facilitating loading for transport to the storage point.
- Perform classification according to the different WEEE categories or types specified in this regulation, to facilitate subsequent delivery to specialized companies.
- WEEE storage containers shall be properly identified.
- For the collection and storage of disused printing and photocopying equipment, an ink spill collection system must be available to prevent contamination of the environment and other components transported together.
- WEEE containing hazardous substances, including fluorescent or mercury lamps, must be collected or stored separately from other WEEE in specific containers that do not contain incompatible substances. The containers must be waterproof and properly identified.
- In Articles 12 and 13, the draft document introduces the technical requirements for the transport and long-term storage of WEEE.
Prohibitions
- The disposal of WEEE along with solid household or general waste.
- The treatment and final disposal of WEEE without having the corresponding environmental authorization.
Important Notice
Failure to comply with these regulations, as well as other environmental provisions in force, will be sanctioned in accordance with Law No. 64-00 and the Regulation for Environmental Control, Surveillance and Inspection and Application of Administrative Sanctions.
For more information, please contact info@orbiscompliance.com - mailto:info@orbiscompliance.com or (408) 465-7331.
Based on the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources website.