The state of California has taken the lead in implementing WEEE (Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment ) directives, which took effect on January 1st, 2005. Henceforth, every CRT monitor and LCD panel application under 15", which includes notebook PCs, will be assessed a US$6 fee. US$8 will be charged for CRT and LCD applications between 15" and 35", while US$10 will be required for models 35" and larger. Fees will be used to fund expenses of reclamation and disposal. 

 

Brand-name electronics vendors are expected to be the most heavily affected. Yet considering that California is a major point of entry for Asian players, OEM/ODM businesses will be impacted as well.

 

Similar regulations are scheduled to officially come into effect in Europe during August 2005. Japan is also implementing a Green Partner certification program for domestic makers such as Sony. Regulations are said to be even stricter than measures adopted elsewhere. Meanwhile, China is in the process of drafting legislation for electronics waste.