The number of mobile phones will exceed the number of human beings in the next few years, it is a staggering 18 billion by 2025

Of the approximately 1.5 billion phones sold each year, only 20% are recycled

Do-it-yourself repairs to extend the life of your device

The modular design increases the perception of self-repairability, while well-designed instructions lead to a positive repair experience

Most producers focus on recycling discarded devices instead of extending their life. However, certain smartphone producers have embraced the principle of repairable, modular design and materials that are more easily recycled. A modular design where parts of the product can be replaced and upgraded promises to extend the life of a particular product. Such a design promotes do-it-yourself repairs, and in order to realize the potential, it is very important that users are willing to repair their devices.

A user-centric approach is key to developing products and business models that promote repair. Producers thus need to address the different types of obsolescence that users encounter (not only technical failure but also all other factors that may lead users to reject the product).

Users of modular devices are more likely to repair the device themselves, while more complex elements such as motherboards are still more often sent to service

Consumer behavior research for a German smartphone producer that offers semi-modular and modular devices along with affordable and easy repair and DIY repair service found that consumers are more likely to engage in sustainable behaviour. That is, that they will carry out repairs on defective parts. It’s going in the right direction, earlier research showed that half of the users of conventional smartphones would rather discard defective devices than send them in for repair.

Self-repair can also increase emotional attachment to the product, which delays product replacement

Sustainable innovation

About 75% of CO₂ emissions from phones are released during the production phase

Considering that it is not uncommon to need to buy a new phone on average every couple of years, there has been a need to stop ignoring the damage that is done and the desire for smartphones that last a long time, do not represent an expense and do not exploit mines.

Fairphone, launched by a Dutch social enterprise in 2012, fights e-waste, pollution and exploitation of the environment and materials. They avoided enviable amounts of CO₂. Its parts are available and can be repaired with a screwdriver, with video tutorials on the Internet. The sustainability of this device is achieved by its modularity, which makes it easy to repair, and they also offer the return of old parts, which they plan to expand to more countries. With this solution, they aim to correct everything that is wrong in the supply chain and inspire the smartphone industry to be better.

The European Union is working to introduce a “right to repair” for certain devices to reduce e-waste

Another good example is Austria, which helped pay for more than half a million repairs in an effort to solve the e-waste problem. The government’s repair program covers faulty appliances such as smartphones, laptops, coffee makers and dishwashers. They have provided consumers with a large number of locations across the country where they can bring their faulty devices and redeem the vouchers.

According to the European Commission, discarded technology produces 35 million tons of waste and 261 million tons of CO₂ emissions every year in Europe

The program plans to reduce waste by giving consumers the right to repair instead of replacement and making repairs easier and more cost-effective. In addition, it would avoid “planned obsolescence”, which makes the product unusable after a certain period, without the possibility of repair. These ventures will encourage producers to develop sustainable products and business models. The “right to repair” in the EU would work so that producers, within the legal warranty period for the product, would be obliged to offer repair services if it does not cost more than replacement. Even after 5 to 10 years after the date of purchase, producers would be required to repair the products, but at the expense of the consumer. Also, producers should disclose product repair information.

Ease of repair, repair incentives and ways to upgrade phones should be the focus. Phone producers and retailers should actively promote consumer awareness of repair options. Incentive strategies such as repairability ratings could be useful in influencing more sustainable product choices. Also, what is often easier said than done, for a more sustainable awareness it would not be bad to resist the aesthetics and seduction of the marketing of certain products, although in essence the technical difference of the products themselves is not that great. Finally, an EU price-level “right to repair” law could soon make it easier to repair rather than replace and discard electronic equipment and devices.

Source: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/news/sustainable-smartphones-modular-design-promotes-do-it-yourself-repair-extend-device-life-2023-02-15_en#:~:text=Sustainable%20smartphones%3F-,Modular%20design%20promotes%20do-it-yourself%20repair%20to%20extend%20device,willing%20to%20repair%20their%20devices https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/06/05/sick-of-buying-a-new-phone-every-two-years-fairphones-last-for-years-and-dont-exploit-mine https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/05/02/austria-has-helped-pay-for-more-than-half-a-million-repairs-in-bid-to-tackle-e-waste

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Consumers will soon be able to use one charger for all their portable electronic devices in the EU. USB Type-C will become a common charging port by autumn 2024, Parliament and Council negotiators agreed in June 2022. The law establishing a single solution for charging certain electronic devices is part of the EU’s wider efforts to make products in the EU more sustainable, to reduce electronic waste and to make life easier for consumers. You can watch the press conference here.

According to the new rules, consumers will no longer need different charging devices and cables if they buy a new product and will be able to use one charger for their electronic devices. Regardless of producer, all mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, earbuds, digital cameras, handheld video game consoles, and portable speakers that charge via a wired cable will need to have a USB Type-C port. The charging speed is also harmonized, allowing consumers to charge their devices at the same speed with any compatible charger. Laptops will also have to conform to the requirements for up to 40 months after the entry into force.

• One charger for frequently used small and medium portable electronic devices
• Charging speed adjusted for devices that support fast charging
• Consumers can choose whether they want to buy a new device with or without a charger

Clear information about the charging characteristics of new devices will be made available to consumers, making it easier to check the compatibility of their existing chargers.

The new obligations will lead to greater reuse and consumer savings of 250 million euros per year on purchases of unnecessary chargers. In addition, it is estimated that discarded and unused chargers represent 11,000 tons of e-waste per year!

https://oro.hr/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/A-common-charger-for-electronic-devices-June-2022-2.pdf

Almost half of the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in Europe is not properly collected and recycled

The WEEE Directive requires member states to collect 85% of all WEEE produced. Public data on WEEE is not always available, but there is good data on officially collected and recycled WEEE which is documented by Member States when they report on their progress towards the WEEE Directive targets. WEEE collection and recycling targets based only on reported e-waste streams ignore the huge recovery potential of valuable materials such as cobalt, gold and copper, in undeclared streams. For this reason, policy makers, compliance and recycling programs need reliable figures to effectively manage this waste.

However, little is known about the flow of undeclared WEEE through society, whether it is recycled, disposed of or exported. Much WEEE flies under the radar as consumers often dispose of it in household waste or it is mixed into mixed metal waste streams where it is recycled, but not under WEEE compliant conditions. In addition, large amounts of WEEE are disposed of by being scrapped for parts before being officially collected or exported abroad, both legally and illegally.

EU research results suggest that 30 countries (all current member states, Norway, Switzerland and the UK) discarded approximately 9.7 million tonnes of WEEE, both declared and undeclared, in 2018. Slightly more than half, 5 Mt, was reported by member states.

Of the undeclared WEEE, it was estimated that 12% (1.12 Mt) was recycled under non-compliant conditions as part of mixed metal waste. A further 7% (0.64 Mt) was extracted for valuable components, 6% (0.6 Mt) was disposed of as household waste, and 3% (0.29 Mt) was legally exported. The remaining 21% (2.09 Mt) is missing and could be illegally exported.

Why are changes important? The amount of WEEE in Europe is growing and will continue to grow

In 2019, 12 Mt of WEEE was produced in the EU, which corresponds to 16.2 kg per person. Consumers should be given more incentives to recycle their old products. In addition to monetary benefits, they should be offered information about product sustainability to encourage product reuse and repair. This will achieve sustainable thinking, changes in purchasing and the adoption of the principles and practices of the circular economy. It is very effective to design products that are easier to recycle.

As wireless charging technology becomes more and more prevalent, the European Commission will be authorized to develop delegated acts on the interoperability of charging solutions. In addition, legal frameworks need to be strengthened to prevent illegal exports and investments in recycling technologies are needed. Accordingly, the emphasis is on designing and evaluating effective WEEE management measures.

Source: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20220603IPR32196/deal-on-common-charger-reducing-hassle-for-consumers-and-curbing-e-waste ; https://environment.ec.europa.eu/news/improved-weee-data-give-better-picture-collection-and-recycling-rates-2022-12-07_en

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Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) legislation was first adopted in 2002 to prevent or reduce adverse impacts on the environment and human health in the EU. The Commission has since evaluated and revised the Directive in 2012.

The first legislation on WEEE, Directive 2002/96/EC, was adopted in 2002, and ten years later the revised and reformed WEEE Directive was adopted, with the aim of providing a regulatory framework for collection and recycling that would include ambitious targets and encourage Member States to increase preparedness for reuse, to strengthen the incentive for resource efficiency in Europe.

The 2012 Directive also provided member states with tools to identify illegal waste exports more effectively. In addition, it provided for the harmonization of national registration and reporting requirements. The registers of producers of electrical and electronic equipment in the member states are more integrated, and an implementing regulation establishing a harmonized format has been adopted. And additional implementing regulations on joint actions were adopted to ensure uniform conditions.

WEEE is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the EU and globally. If not treated appropriately, it is dangerous and can have serious consequences for people and the environment. In addition, it contains precious and critical raw materials, the recovery of which is essential to support the circular economy and strengthen the strategic autonomy of the EU. In the years ahead, growing consumption and digitization will present ever-increasing challenges, so it is necessary to assess whether the WEEE Directive is fit for purpose.

The Commission launched an online public consultation on the evaluation of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive – WEEE Directive. The consultation lasts until September 22, 2023.

More informations: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/waste-and-recycling/waste-electrical-and-electronic-equipment-weee_en

The ongoing evaluation aims to assess how effectively the Directive has been applied and what its effect has been, to assess how it contributes to the general political goals of the European Green Plan and the Circular Economy Action Plan, and to identify gaps in its implementation. Depending on the findings of the evaluation, the Commission could then initiate the revision process of the Directive.

In the context of the evaluation, the Commission will evaluate the reduction of administrative burdens and the level of compliance achieved after the adoption of the implementing acts. In particular, the Commission is seeking feedback on the identification of equipment containing critical raw materials and on existing recycling practices for these materials. The assessment will also take into account international developments, such as the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal.

The Directive sets stricter collection and recovery/recycling targets. Separate collection of EE waste from unsorted municipal waste is necessary to ensure its proper processing, but remains a major challenge in most member states. As part of the evaluation, the Commission carried out a compliance promotion initiative to assess good practices and gaps in implementation, among the practices being the separate collection and procedures of WEEE.

The Directive will also be evaluated against the objectives set out in the European Green Plan and the Circular Economy Action Plan and will take into account all other relevant changes in EU environmental and waste policy (e.g. renewable energy policies, batteries, eco-design for sustainable products , restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, waste vehicles, waste shipments, critical raw materials).

The safe and environmentally sound management of WEEE requires the involvement of a wide range of actors: producers of electrical and electronic equipment, producer responsibility organizations and extended producer responsibility programs, recyclers, entities involved in reuse and preparation for reuse, national governments, third country authorities that receive WEEE, non-governmental organizations as well as citizens.

Source: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/news/commission-consults-citizens-and-stakeholders-directive-waste-electrical-and-electronic-equipment-2023-06-16_en

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The producer / importer when putting products on Croatian market is obliged to:

The Register of Producers with Extended Responsibility is an electronic database containing data on product producers who are obliged to fulfill the obligations prescribed by the Waste Management Act on  products and quantities of products placed on the market and on fulfilling the obligation to contribute to waste management.

Most often, producers and importers have obligations regarding packaging, WEEE and batteries.

According to the principles of EPR and the Ordinance on Packaging and Waste Packaging, the obligation of the producers is to fulfill the objectives of waste packaging, WEEE and batteries management in proportion to the amount that have been placed on the market, by paying a management fee to the Fund’s bank account, as prescribed by the Regulation.

If You are foreign company, you will need an Authorized representative to fulfill these obligations, Interseroh d.o.o. is the first compliance specialist in this area. Long-term knowledge and experience in the field of waste management, allows them to approach each client individually, finding the best solutions, considering clients specific needs.

Do you have some additional questions?
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In order to strengthen the re-use and the prevention, recycling and other recovery of waste, EU enabled Member States to prescribe measures to ensure that any natural or legal person who professionally develops, manufactures, processes, treats, sells or imports products (producer of the product) has extended producer responsibility.

In Republic of Croatia in force is the Waste Management Act (OG 84/2021), which prescribes that the producer of the product from which the waste is generated, ie the producer of the waste, bears the costs of managing that waste. In doing so, the principles of environmental protection are respected and are prescribed by law.

Croatia has also established a system for the management of special categories of waste, managed by the Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency.

Special waste categories include:
Packaging waste
Electrical and electronic waste
Waste tires
Waste oils
Waste vehicles
Waste batteries and accumulators
Waste containing asbestos
Other special categories of waste

Interseroh d.o.o. for foreign companies checks obligations, consults and fulfills obligations in clients name to the Fund.

For example – a webshop that delivers to the Republic of Croatia also have obligations, but even 2 webshops don’t have to have the same obligations.

Liabilities vary depending on the specific category of waste, but also depending on the amount placed on the market – e.g. a producer who places a quantity of packaging less than the prescribed limit values on the Croatian market is obliged to report annually, while producers who place a larger quantity of packaging on the market are obliged to make quarterly applications of packaging placed on the market and paying the associated fees.

If you are looking for an authorized representative for EPR in the Republic of Croatia or you are not sure whether you have obligations in the Republic of Croatia and what they are – contact Interseroh d.o.o.

Do you have additional questions?
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Sponzorirani članak

U Hrvatskoj više od 80 posto mobilnih uređaja tijekom svog životnog ciklusa barem jedanput promijeni vlasnika, stoji u istraživanju njemačke tvrtke reBuy. Vjerojatno je i većina nas barem jednom naslijedila ili svoj stari uređaj nekome udijelila na korištenje i takav pristup je, ako se osvrnemo na perspektivu stvaranja otpada, dobar pristup.

Međutim, postoje i situacije kada mobilni uređaji ne nađu novog vlasnika. Bilo zbog kvara ili trendova, odlažu se na police te tako nastaje elektronički otpad.

Prema istraživanju reBuya na 27 zemalja, Hrvatska ja zauzela 22. mjesto kada je riječ o vrijednosti koju skriva u e-otpadu. Ne čini se da je riječ o naročito dobrim rezultatima, no zapravo je istina da prema tom izvještaju Hrvati imaju 10 milijuna eura vrijednosti u zlatu, srebru i platini, a sve od starih mobilnih uređaja. To, složit ćemo se, nisu male brojke.

Iako su postali sredstvo održivosti, u Hrvatskoj, prema strukturi glave po stanovniku, mobilne uređaje i dalje nemaju svi. S druge strane 3,4 milijuna mobilnih uređaja izuzeti su bilo kakve aktivnosti.

Nastavno na tu brojku, jasno je kako e-otpad postoji, a danas u Hrvatskoj posjedujemo 106 tona takvog otpada. Na sreću, čak iako nam kultura recikliranja nije na zavidnoj razini, kada je riječ o recikliranju e-otpada nalazimo se u top 10 zemalja obuhvaćenih istraživanjem. Po kulturi recikliranja mogli bismo se ugledati na susjednu Sloveniju koja se tu našla pri samom vrhu, a ukupno najveću vrijednost u e-otpadu ima Švedska s 40,4 milijuna eura.

U ukupnom rangiranju bolji smo i od SAD-a i država kao što su Nizozemska ili Kanada. Kada je riječ o mobitelima koji su izuzeti bilo kakva korištenja, Amerika je tu apsolutni lider, a slijede ih i Njemačka te Ujedinjeno Kraljevstvo.

Potencijal za Hrvatsku leži u kulturi korištenja mobitela, koji je do prije par godina često bio i međugeneracijski. Iako dolaskom novih generacija takva situacija nije više uvelike zastupljena, porast navike recikliranja ono je u što se moramo uzdati.

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The Register of Producers is kept by the Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency in electronic form, and accordingly the mentioned data are submitted to the Fund via the Internet. The obligation to  register and submit data in the Register of Producers, to pay the prescribed “WEEE management fee” and to comply with other obligations in accordance with this Ordinance applies to all producers, regardless of whether or not they have a tax number.

Do you need an authorized representative in the Republic of Croatia?

Are you interested in other obligations in the Republic of Croatia?

For all questions / comments send an inquiry to info@oro.hr or katarina.jerbic@interseroh.hr

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