Electronic Product Management

California E-Waste Updates:
September 27, 2007

Dear Electronic Product Stakeholder:

This electronic newsletter is an update on the implementation of California's Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 and other electronic waste (e-waste) management developments in California.

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In this issue:

COVERED ELECTRONIC WASTE STAKEHOLDER WORKSHOP SCHEDULED:
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5TH

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#### Covered Electronic Waste Stakeholder Workshop Scheduled: Monday, November 5th ####

The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) has scheduled a full day meeting for stakeholders in the covered electronic waste (CEW) recovery and recycling payment system that was established through the Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 (the Act, or SB 20). The meeting will be held Monday, November 5, 2007, at the Cal/EPA Headquarters Building in Sacramento.

The format of the meeting will be a structured and moderated conversation, seeking to facilitate substantive discussion between program and participants, and between participants themselves.

The purpose for holding this meeting is to explore several issues facing the program, including:

• It has been nearly a year since the final regulations were approved, and the payment system has been operating under more stringent requirements since then. How is that going?
• The respective roles of collector and recycler are in flux, with industry dynamics placing pressures on each party that affects their ability to fulfill intended responsibilities. Is tighter regulation necessary?
• Market conditions are fluctuating for many of the residuals derived from covered electronic waste, leading to questions regarding the appropriateness of the payment system structure and rates. What does the future hold?
• The program is reaching the critical *money in, money out* threshold of revenue vs. program costs, which could lead to recommendations that payment rates and/or advance recycling fees be adjusted to maintain fiscal integrity.
• The program continues to field allegations that SB 20 in general, and/or the CIWMB`s implementation of the Act in particular, has adversely affected the reuse industry. Is this true?

This meeting is not intended to be a grand summit on e-waste management in general in California, nor is it a rulemaking exercise, though issues that are discussed at the meeting will inform possible future regulatory considerations. It should be viewed as an opportunity to better understand the implications, consequences and realities that the program and its participants face, and to continue what has been a robust and open dialog with stakeholders since the program's inception.

More information, including a draft agenda, will be forthcoming shortly.

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

Also note that an archive of past distributions of this newsletter is available at: http://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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