StEP releases Green Paper exploring legal distinction between UEEE and e-wastes in Basel Convention

In recent years, international regulation efforts have focused on prohibiting transboundary movements of e-waste that pose a risk to human and environmental health when inappropriately treated. However, implementation and enforcement of the efforts have been problematic due to definitional ambiguities between used electrical and electronic equipment (UEEE) and e-wastes. In “Differentiating EEE products and Wastes: Recent Developments and future possibilities under the Basel Convention,” a Green Paper released by the Solving the E-Waste Problem (StEP) Initiative on 14 Jan. 2014, author Sabaa Kahn explores the distinction between waste and non-waste as defined by the international Basel Convention. The author elaborates on currently disputed aspects of the UEEE Guidelines and discusses ways to ensure a more effective application of the Convention without restricting international sustainable trade or hindering global access to digital development.

The StEP Green Paper “Differentiating EEE products and Wastes” may be downloaded here.