Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission releases draft guideline for E-Waste Management and Recycling System 
NOTE:
On July 7, 2022, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) published an official guidelines on the management and recycling system for waste electrical and electronic equipment. See more details in the following:
Bangladesh publishes guidelines on management and recycling system for WEEE
On June 20, 2021, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) issued a notification providing draft guidelines for E-waste management recycling system. In the context of the large amount of E-waste generated in the telecommunications sector in Bangladesh, it has been recognized that guidelines for environmentally friendly management and recycling of E-waste are essential. Therefore, the BTRC has come up with this draft guideline as a set of instructions for manufacturers and importers of telecommunications equipment. The draft guidelines were published on the BTRC website and the public was invited to comment on them until July 20. The draft guidelines categorize E-waste into the following five categories.
- Household electronic equipment
- IT and communication equipment such as cell phones, switches, routers, hard drives, etc.
- Entertainment-related electronic equipment such as TVs, video games, etc.
- Electronic utility equipment such as remote controls, electric heating pads, etc.
- Office and medical equipment such as dialysis machines, imaging equipment, copiers, etc.
The main contents of this draft guideline are as follows.
- Manufacturers, users, and repairers of telecommunications equipment, as well as telecommunications carriers (e.g., cell phone companies, broadcasters, data carriers, etc.) are considered to be generators of E-waste.
- Instructions to manufacturers, users and importers of telecommunication equipment regarding the management of E-waste are as follows.
- E-waste shall be managed by an organization approved or licensed by the Department of Environment (DOE), following proper procedures.
- Prior to the management of E-waste, approval should be obtained from BTRC.
- Information on collected E-waste (product name, quantity, weight (t), etc.) shall be reported on a quarterly basis using the prescribed format.
- Take measures to collect old and unused telecommunication equipment.
- E-waste shall be collected through consumer care centers or service centers.
- Manufacturers of telecommunication equipment shall comply with the conditions stated in the relevant license and the following conditions in order to recycle the manufactured equipment
- Export of collected E-waste shall be done in accordance with the export policy set by the government.
- Collected telecommunication equipment shall not be sold as recycled products.
- Legal action will be taken by the BTRC if environmental damage is proven during e-waste management.
- Take steps to raise public awareness on the risks and hazards of E-waste.
The draft guideline can be downloaded from the following URL.
http://www.btrc.gov.bd/sites/default/files/notice_files/E-Waste%20Management%20and%20Recycling%20System%20%28Draft%29.pdf
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