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WASHINGTON -- The head of the electronics industry's leading trade group, Dave McCurdy, this month asked Congress for consistent regulatory definitions of key recycling terms and a strict definition of the scope of covered products.

In remarks to the House subcommittee on environment and hazardous materials, McCurdy said it is "critical" that the primary driver is the marketplace, and "not broad mandates and increased regulation."

“There is clearly a role for the federal government to play in bringing national consistency to this emerging field,” McCurdy said.

In his testimony, McCurdy, a former congressman, asked lawmakers to consider establishing a third-party organization to help with data reporting, compliance and financing. He lobbied for broad consistency in labeling, product information and regulatory reporting requirements. He asked for assessments on whether additional recycling regulations or standards are necessary to ensure the safe and environmentally sound management of used electronics.

In a nod to the EU’s pending RoHS mandates, McCurdy said, “EIA believes it is essential to consider the science related to electronics products as part of any public policy discussion regarding recycling. Compounds such as lead and mercury are present in some electronics products because they provide clear safety, performance and energy efficiency benefits.” 

He lamented the lack of a federal policy, noting the possibility of a morass of state of local laws. “Absent a consistent national approach to electronics recycling, manufacturers, retailers and recyclers will be confronted by an expensive, inefficient and unworkable confusion of state laws and regulations. If this state-by-state pattern continues, it will impose an enormous administrative and logistical burden on the system that will ultimately result in increased prices to consumers for new products.”

The full text of McCurdy's testimony can be seen here.

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