WASHINGTON -- A new report from the US Government Accountability Office recommends greater Environmental Protection Agency oversight for used electronics, and more legislative involvement.

In the report, issued earlier this month, the GAO says EPA’s management of used electronics boils down to enforcing its rule for recycling and exporting of lead-laden CRTs and an array of partnerships that encourage voluntary efforts among manufacturers and other stakeholders.

While saying the enforcement of CRT exports has improved, issues remain, the GAO said. Moreover, there is no regulation covering the export of many other electronics devices, such as cellphones, which typically are not within the regulatory definition of hazardous waste despite containing some toxic substances.

The GAO also cited EPA for lacking a systematic approach to its partnership programs. While many states have enacted electronics recycling laws, the "patchwork" of requirements lacks clarity and is considered a burden, the report said.

The GAO report, “Electronic Waste: Considerations for Promoting Environmentally Sound Reuse and Recycling,"recommends that the EPA examine how its partnership programs could be improved to contribute more effectively to used electronics management, and that the agency work with other federal agencies to finalize a legislative proposal on ratification of the Basel Convention for congressional consideration. EPA agreed with the recommendations.

The GAO, which visited five states to review local recycling and waste management laws, found stakeholders typically regulated under the state laws -- electronics manufacturers, retailers, recyclers -- "consider the increasing number of state laws to be a compliance burden." The report says state and local solid waste management officials were supportive of states taking a lead role in the absence of a national approach.

Opinions differ as to whether the federal government should get involved. State recycling programs provide flexibility to states but fail to address stakeholder concerns that the state-by-state approach is a compliance burden or will leave some states without electronics recycling programs, the GAO found.

At the federal level, legislators must determine to what extent federal standards would allow for stricter state standards, offering states flexibility -- but at the risk of more demanding compliance burdens.

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