What is the regulator\'s role in e-waste management

1. E-Waste: An ICT Regulatory Perspective Communications Commission of Kenya 9th June 2010 Presenter: Mwende Njiraini 1

2. Content Introduction Kenya Regulatory Framework: E-waste Provisions E-waste: International ICT Regulatory Initiatives Kenya Regulatory Framework: E-waste Provisions Recommendations Conclusion 2

3. Introduction E-waste driven by phenomenal growth in the ICT sector: Government Policies Liberalization Privatization Regulation Converged Regulation Technology neutrality Deregulation Consumer demand: Availability of diverse devices and service offerings Reduced cost of ICT equipment (Moore’s law) 3

4. Introduction: ICT Sector Growth: Indication of policy, regulation and consumer demand 4

5. Introduction: ICT Sector Growth: Investment Indicator 5

6. Kenya Regulatory Framework: E-waste Provisions ICT Policy 2006: Cognizant of the e-waste and states : “As a prerequisite for grant or renewal of licences, applicants must demonstrate their readiness to minimize the effects of their infrastructure on the environment. This should include provision of appropriate recycling/disposal facilities for waste that may contain toxic substances.” 6

7. Kenya Regulatory Framework: E-waste Provisions Unified Licensing framework Licensing Frameworkimplemented in 2008 requires licensees to: “ensure that the Licensed Systems do not become a health, environmental or a safety hazard…” 7

8. Kenya Regulatory Framework: E-waste Provisions Type Approval Condition for mobile handset: “ensure that the handsets do not become a health, environmental or a safety hazard” 8

9. Kenya Regulatory Framework: E-waste Provisions Code of Practice for the Deployment of Communications Infrastructure in Kenya: Objective: Creation of a guidelines on the rollout of communications network infrastructure Provisions: Waste and other pollutants resulting from Operators’ activities: Implement mitigation measures in EIA reports on obsolete electrical and electronic equipment. Decommissioning sites: Restoration of sites premises in consideration of former state Site Sharing and Co-location First option by Operators on the basis of a mutual agreement taking into account environmental and health considerations 9

10. E-waste: International ICT Regulatory Initiatives ITU: ICTs for e-Environment Guidelines for Developing Countries, with a Focus on Climate Change European Union: Directive 2002/96/EC on waste electrical and electronic equipment Directive 2002/95/EC on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment 10

11. Recommendations E-waste minimization and recovery strategies: High Impact Strategies: Regulation and Operator Code of Practice Recycling: Refurbishment Urban mining: Extraction of precious metals from e-waste e.g. 1 tonne discarded mobile phones yields 150g gold, 5g gold, 100kg copper and 3kg silver ‘Take- back’ policies Government and Private sector Initiatives Public awareness Low Impact Strategies: Telecommunication , Postal , Broadcasting , Aviation museums: public awareness and collection, restoration and preservation of ICT artefacts. 11

12. Recommendations Communication Museum 12

13. Recommendations Capacity building: Public awareness of environmental issues and priorities; Development of professionals Integrating environmental content into formal education Study of trends: E-waste management Consumer behavior: new habits, social structures and consumption patterns in the use of ICT products Impacts of practices : E-business (e-Commerce and e-Government) Impact of technology convergence 13

14. Conclusion E-waste presents opportunities and challenges Multi-stakeholder collaboration is essential 14