Environmentally Conscious Design and Product Stewardship Program

NEMA's Environmentally Conscious Design (ECD) program was established to address issues related to incorporating environmentally conscious materials and design aspects into NEMA member electrical and electronic products, and NEMA industry/members' role in the management of end-of-life products.  

The focus of the NEMA efforts has three goals:

• Increase corporate awareness
• Provide guidance to product groups
• Track legislative and regulatory efforts and advocate NEMA positions   

The ECD program is active at federal and state levels, and covers North American issues, EU regulations, and international activities. 

NEMA Environmental "Call to Action" Goals and Statement of Principles, November 2006  (30k)

NEMA Policy Statements -- Environmentally Conscious Design and Product Stewardship

• Statement of Principles: Environmentally Conscious Design and Product Stewardship (55k)

European Union

• Summary of EU Regulatory Initiatives with Impact for NEMA Members (58k)

Waste in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

• Text of EU Directive on Product Take-Back and Recycling (303k)
• Text of Amendment to Article 9 -- Historical Waste From Non Household Sources
• Explanatory Memorandum to Amendment to Article 9
• NEMA Statement of Principles on EU Directives Regarding Waste in Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Substance Bans (95k)

Restriction on Hazardous Substances (ROHS)

• Checklist for Requests for Additional Exemptions (119k)
• Text of EU Directive Banning Lead and Mercury in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (118k)
• EU Decision on Maximum Contaminant Values (107k)
• EU Draft Guidance Document (95k)
• EU Exemption Consultation Document
• EU Consultant Report on Exemptions (880k)

• New exemptions for specific applications of substances banned under the European Union’s Restriction on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive (132k)

Energy Use Products (EuP)

• Summary Briefing on EuP Directive and Implementation - May 2006 (1,403k)
• Text of Final EUP Framework Directive (471k)
• EuP Proposal
• NEMA Comments on EU Commission's Working Draft for an "EuE Directive" (76k)
• Joint Association Paper on EU Proposed EEE Directive (47k)

Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restrictions of Chemicals (REACH)

• NEMA White Paper on REACH and U.S. Regulation of Chemicals (43k)
• EU REACH Web Page
• NEMA Criticizes Proposed EU Chemicals Regulation in Joint Comments (428k)
• AeA, EIA, ITI, NEMA, and SIA Position Paper On EU Chemicals (43k)

Poly Vinyl Chloride

• EU PVC Web Page

United States

California

• Enacted Electronics Legislation
• NEMA 2003 Testimony (163k)

Maine

• Enacted 2004 Electronics Bill
• NEMA 2003 Electronics Bill Testimony (146k)
• NEMA 2004 Electronics Bill Testimony (104k)
• 2004 Brominated Flame Retardant Bill
• NEMA 2004 Brominated Flame Retardant Bill Testimony (94k)

Maryland

• 2005 Brominated Flame Retardant Bill
• NEMA 2005 Testimony on Brominated Flame Retardant Bill (71k)

Massachusetts

• Introduced Ten Chemicals Bill (220k)
• NEMA Testimony on Electronics Bill (119k)
• NEMA Testimony on Ten Chemicals Bill (121k)

Rhode Island

• Enacted CRT Bill (11k)
• NEMA Testimony (146k)

More Information

• High Tech Industry Facts and Figures Project
• EPA Design for Environment Program
• EPA Lead Free Solder Partnership
• EPA PBT Program
• EPA Waste Minimization Program

NEMA Section Position Statements

Batteries

• Household Batteries and the Environment
• Button Cell Battery Collection -- Why it Does not Make Sense

Lamps

• Recycling Household CFLs
• Manufacturer Take-Back of Lamps
• Lamp Industry Product Stewardship
• Lamp Recycling
• Labeling of Mercury-Containing Lamps
• Alternatives to Mercury-Containing Lamps

Thermostats

• Thermostat Recycling Corporation

Steel Rigid Conduit

• Hexavalent Chrome in Steel Conduit (155k)

• Lead in Steel Conduit (131k)

Imaging and Therapy Systems

• Regulation of Video Display Devices Used in Medical Products (111k)