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BIS Seeks Public Comments on Proposal to Restrict U.S. E-Waste Exports

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) under the U.S. Department of Commerce has put a proposal to restrict e-scrap exports out of the country for public comments. The proposal consists of strict regulations that would ban exports of unprocessed electronic waste. Furthermore, the exports would be subject to rigorous tracking procedures.

BIS has sought public comments on two approaches that could be used to track export of allowed e-waste. In the first approach, e-waste will be allowed to be exported under a potential new license exception in the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The second approach calls for recording exempted waste exports through a new data element in the Automated Export System (AES). It must be noted that a similar US Census Bureau proposal had to be ultimately removed following public comments and concerns.

BIS has also sought comments on new recordkeeping requirements, applicable to exports of exempted electronic waste under a potential new license exception and exports of permitted waste under a potential new AES data element. The proposed system requires exporters to keep records on all electronic waste that is exported.

The proposal released last week, is currently open for public comments. According to BIS press release, interested persons are required to submit their comments no later than December 24, 2018.