Electronics have been an essential part of modern life for the past few decades, and our reliance on them is only going to increase. However, electronic appliances and devices can contribute to environmental degradation in a multitude of ways. From the high consumption of natural resources to electronic waste or ‘e-waste’, these products can cause problems at each point of their life cycle.
To combat and limit these issues, electronics manufacturers have to abide by a range of regulations and standards for their products to be considered eco-friendly. In this article, we’ll take a look at the regulations and standards that are internationally recognised and those that are governed by the European Union (EU). The article will also touch on which certifications to look out for when making environmentally-conscious decisions when purchasing these types of products. But first, let’s take a deeper look at the impact that electronics have on the planet.
Environmental Impact of Electronics
Electronics have an effect on the planet during several phases of their life cycle, with different environmental consequences posed at each stage. Here’s how each phase, from resource extraction to disposal, can harm the environment:
Phase 1: Resource Extraction
Natural resource extraction and processing for goods (including electronics) make up around 50% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. Electronics require rare earth elements, precious metals such as gold and silver, and other resources that are often mined under environmentally damaging conditions. The extraction processes can lead to deforestation, soil erosion, habitat loss, and pollution. Energy-intensive mining and refining processes increase the use of fossil fuels and the release of greenhouse gases.
Phase 2: Manufacturing and Production
Many different chemicals are used in the manufacturing of electronic gadgets, some of which are hazardous and, if improperly handled, can lead to air and water pollution. The manufacturing of these types of products is also energy-intensive, contributing further to its carbon footprint. What’s more, a lot of waste is generated in the production of electronics including plastic, offcuts of metal and hazardous waste.
Phase 3: Transportation
Electronic devices are transported by air, sea, and land, all of which require the burning of fossil fuels. However, multiple plans and initiatives have been launched to help to tackle and reduce the amount of emissions produced by the transport sector.
Phase 4: Usage
Electronic devices consume electricity throughout their operational life and when that electricity comes from non-renewable sources, it leads to the emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Energy used from renewable sources such as wind, solar and hydro have gained traction in recent years and are much kinder to the planet.
Phase 5: Waste and Disposal
One of the biggest obstacles for electronics manufacturers to overcome is how a product can be disposed of in a sustainable way. As a race we generate around 50 million tons of electronic waste (e-waste) each year. E-waste is very harmful, not only because most of it is sent to landfill but also because it contains extremely toxic chemicals such as lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury and lots more.
Recycling can mitigate these problems, but multiple complex challenges are faced when it comes to recycling these devices and appliances. For example, safely extracting valuable materials can be a difficult task, and if it isn’t done efficiently, harmful substances can be released into the atmosphere.
3 Regulations and Standards for Eco-Friendly Electronics
Eco-friendly electronics are governed by various international and national standards and regulations that aim to reduce environmental impact, enhance sustainability, and ensure the safe disposal of electronic waste. Here are some of the key standards and regulations:
RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances)
Where: Primarily the EU, but it is used in other regions too.
What is it?: RoHS is a standard that was set up in 2002 by the EU. It initially applied to the first six substances, but the latest edition (2019) specifies maximum levels of the following ten hazardous materials:
- Cadmium: < 100 ppm (parts per million).
- Lead: < 1000 ppm.
- Mercury: <1000 ppm.
- Hexavalent Chromium: <1000 ppm.
- Polybrominated Biphenyls: < 1000 ppm.
- Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers: < 1000 ppm.
- Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate: < 1000 ppm.
- Benzyl butyl phthalate: < 1000 ppm.
- Dibutyl phthalate: < 1000 ppm.
- Diisobutyl phthalate: < 1000 ppm.
Objectives: Preventing harmful chemicals from damaging the environment and causing pollution at the end of a product’s lifecycle. Reducing exposure to these chemicals also helps to protect workers in the manufacturing and recycling of these products.
Certification: If a product complies with RoHS, it may be marked with a ‘CE’ stamp, which certifies that the product is compliant with the EU’s standards for health, safety and environmental protection.
WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment)
Where: Like the RoHS, the WEEE Directive was formed in the EU but is recognised in various regions outside the continent.
What is it?: The WEEE Directive was first introduced in 2002 by the EU and was updated in 2012 to expand its provisions, leading to Directive 2012/19/EU.
Objectives: The primary focus of WEEE is to prevent electronic waste and promote the reusing and recycling of such products to reduce the amount of waste disposal. By aiming to prevent waste and encourage recycling of electronic waste, the piece of regulations seeks to preserve valuable materials and reduce the impact on the environment. The WEEE also sets out waste collection targets that member states must achieve. This includes a specific amount of waste to be collected per inhabitant per year and a specific amount of waste to be recycled in each category of electronic equipment, each year.
Certification: Products that comply with the WEEE Directive’s stringent rules will usually display the WEEE symbol, which is a crossed-out wheelie bin. The symbol may be displayed on the product, its packaging or within documentation and informs users that the product should not be disposed of with household waste and should be properly recycled or disposed of as per WEEE regulations.
REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals)
Where: Established in the EU but recognised internationally, with businesses having to comply with its regulations for exports to the EU market.
What is it?: REACH is a piece of regulation that governs the production, import and use of chemical substances, to ensure that they are used safely and do not affect human health or the environment. It was established in 2006 by the EU.
Objectives: The key objectives of REACH are to protect human and environmental health from the risks of harmful chemicals. The regulation also aims to provide greater transparency about the chemicals used in the EU.
Certification: To determine whether a product complies with REACH, the supplier usually provides REACH certificates along with product documentation to show that the manufacturer has complied with the regulation during production. Another way is through safety data sheets. REACH requires manufacturers to provide safety data sheets for any substances or mixtures that are hazardous. An up-to-date safety data sheet is a strong indicator of REACH compliance as it shows that the manufacturer has shown diligence in assessing and communicating the risks associated with their chemical substances.
Conclusion
The regulatory landscape for eco-friendly electronics is shaped by a series of important international and regional standards that aim to minimise the environmental footprint of electronic devices. Comprehensive guidelines that regulate the manufacture, use, and disposal of electronic items have been developed by important legislation such as RoHS, WEEE and REACH. These steps guarantee the decrease of dangerous materials, improve energy efficiency, stimulate recycling, and support the long-term sustainability of electronic products.
Adherence to these rules is in line with larger international objectives for sustainable development, as well as demonstrating a proactive attitude to environmental stewardship. Manufacturers who follow these guidelines help create technology industries that are safer, cleaner, and more ethical, and customers gain from higher quality, eco-friendly goods.
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