California E-Waste Updates:
February 1, 2006

Dear Electronic Product Stakeholder:

This electronic newsletter is an update on the implementation of California's Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003. It is being sent to you because you have expressed an interest in the subject of electronic waste (e-waste) management in California.

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In this issue:

PROPOSED REGULATIONS POSTED TO WEB; CIWMB WILL DISCUSS AT FEBRUARY 7, 2006 MEETING

REMINDER TO COLLECTORS: MAKE SURE DESIGNATIONS ARE COMPLIANT

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#### Proposed Regulations Posted To Web; CIWMB Will Discuss At February 7, 2006 Meeting ####

To implement the certain provisions of the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 (Act), the Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) will discuss proposed final regulations governing covered electronic waste (CEW) at its Sustainability and Market Development Committee meeting on February 7, 2006.

The intent of the discussion is to secure direction from the Committee to proceed with a formal notice of the rulemaking process. Such a notice will trigger the start of comment periods and response requirements associated with the rulemaking process.

It is important to note that there is nothing necessarily <final> about the proposed draft that will be discussed. Formal rulemaking, as governed by California`s Administrative Procedures Act, provides a methodical process through which proposed regulations are considered, commented upon, revised, and ultimately adopted. The CIWMB Committee meeting is just the starting point of this formal process that will last several months.

At the discussion, program staff will present proposed language and explain how the proposal differs from existing emergency regulations.

The proposed draft can be found at:
http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Rulemaking/EWaste/default.htm 

More information on the CIWMB's Board and Committee meetings can be found at:
http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Agendas/

#### Reminder to Collectors: Make Sure Designations Are Compliant ####

Existing revised emergency regulations, effective December 5, 2005, established new standards for operating as a designated approved collector of CEW on behalf of a local government. The regulations allow approved collectors that were designated as agents by local governments prior to the effective date of the revision to continue using past documentation for a limited period while transitioning to the new standards of being a designated approved collector.

Specifically, the regulations state:

"18660.5(a)(29)(G) If, after January 1, 2005, and before the effective date of this regulation, a designated approved collector has secured a document from a local government that does not meet the definition of a proof of designation as specified in this Section, such document may be used by a designated approved collector to comply with applicable requirements of this Chapter through March 31, 2006."

All approved collectors that wish to continue operating under a designation are urged make sure that they have secured a compliant proof of designation by March 31, 2006.

The complete existing emergency regulations are available at:
http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Electronics/Act2003/Regulations/Emergency/Revision1.htm

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Please note that e-mail correspondence with the State of California related to e-waste management in general, and SB 20 and SB 50 implementation in particular, should be directed to ewaste@calepa.ca.gov.

Also note that an archive of past distributions is available at:
www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Electronics/Act2003/Stakeholder/Updates/

Thank you for your interest in shaping California's e-waste management future.

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