1. Workshop on E-waste Recycling and Refurbishing: Environmentally Sound Management Practices
Guidance Supporting Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) of Used & Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment under the OECD & UN Basel Convention
Michael VanderPol
Environment Canada
Guadalajara, Mexico February 15–16

2. Objectives Define ESM Identify guidance (OECD & UNEP Basel Convention)
Introduce ESM considerations

3. ESM is an important consideration for facilities
ESM may be described as:
Taking all practicable steps to ensure that used and/or end-of-life products or wastes are managed in a manner which will protect human health & the environment
Benefits of ESM to facilities:
Reduced risk to environment & public health
Economic benefits of increased plant efficiency
Trade benefits
Due diligence or duty of care
Improved safety
Improved relationships with regulators & public
Improved business relationships
Protection of stockholder & stakeholder interests

4. Relevant OECD guidance is available…
Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development:
Forum to promote policies that will improve the economic & social well-being of people around the world
34 member countries (including Mexico, USA & Canada)
3 ESM workshops: Mexico (1999), Austria (2000) & USA (2002)
Guidance targets recycling & waste (but concepts are transferable to reuse)
Guidance
Recommendation of the Council on ESM of Waste (9 Jun 2004 / rev. 16 Oct 2007)
Guidance Manual on ESM of Waste (2007)
Technical Guidance for ESM of Used and Scrap Personal Computers (18 Feb 2003)

5. …& UN Basel guidance is emerging
United Nations Basel Convention:
Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal
175 Parties (including Mexico & Canada; USA is a Signatory)
Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) & Partnership on Action for Computing Equipment (PACE)
Draft guidance *
ESM Criteria Recommendations
Guideline on Environmentally Sound Testing, Refurbishment & Repair of Used Computing Equipment
Guideline on Environmentally Sound Material Recovery / Recycling of End-of-Life Computing Equipment
Technical Guidelines on Transboundary Movement of E-waste, In Particular Regarding the Distinction Between Waste and Non-Waste
* Guidance will be proposed for Party approval at COP10 (Oct 2011)

6. ESM guidance share key “generic” concepts…
OECD
Core Performance Elements for Facilities
UN Basel PACE
ESM Criteria for Facilities
Environmental Management System
Safeguard Occupational & Environmental Health & Safety
Monitor, Recording & Reporting Programmes
Training Programme
Emergency Plan
Plan for Closure & After-care (with Financial Guarantees)
Top Management Commitment to a Systematic Approach
Risk Assessment
Risk Prevention & Minimization
Legal Requirements
Awareness, Competency & Training
Record-keeping & Performance Measurement
Corrective Action
Transparency & Verification

7. …& identify operational-specific “best practices”
Implement pollution control & abatement measures
Ensure safe storage & transport
Package equipment properly
Assure ESM for residual wastes
Understand & comply with relevant laws (including other country import restrictions)
Do not undertake informal sector activities
Some examples include:
Specify products accepted at the facility
Evaluate suitability of feedstock for reuse / recycling
Ensure safe storage & transport
Assure data security & destruction
Use proper personal protection equipment
Handle hazardous components with special care
Test & document functionality of refurbished products

8. ESM is evolutionary (& requires careful planning)
Process should stimulate improvement (vs. judgement) *
* OECD Workshop on ESM of Wastes Destined for Recovery Operations (Austria, 2000)

9. “Killer phrases” & closing thoughts
Have you heard the following?
“Regulatory compliance is enough”
“ESM is the same thing as ISO 9001 / ISO 14001”
“ESM is too expensive for small & medium-sized enterprises”
“ESM causes marketplace distortions”
“Everybody is going to say they have an ESM in place”
What do you think?
Use this workshop to shed additional light on these issues
Ask our industry experts!

10. Questions? Michael VanderPol Environment Canada
(819)

11. Useful Guidance
OECD Recommendation of the Council on ESM of Waste (v. 16 Oct 2007) (
OECD Guidance Manual on ESM of Waste (v. 2007) (
OECD Technical Guidance for ESM of Used and Scrap Personal Computers (v. 18 Feb 2003) (
Approved Draft UN Basel PACE ESM Criteria Recommendations (v. 9 Mar 2010) (
Draft UN Basel PACE Guideline on Environmentally Sound Testing, Refurbishment & Repair of Used Computing Equipment
(coming soon:
Draft UN Basel PACE Guideline on Environmentally Sound Material Recovery / Recycling of End-of-Life Computing Equipment
Draft UN Basel Technical Guidelines on Transboundary Movement of E-waste, In Particular Regarding the Distinction Between Waste and Non-Waste (v. 22 Sep 2010) (
Discussion Paper on Transboundary Movement of Used and End-of-Life Computing Equipment