The last few years have seen an increase in government legislation aimed at minimizing environmental impacts through product-designed disposal. Important legislative developments include:

• Basel Convention- An international convention adopted in 1989, banning the export of hazardous waste to non-OECD countries from EU countries.
• Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)- A European directive adopted in 2002 imposing financial responsibility for recycling and final disposal of electrical goods onto producers. The directive is also applicable to imported goods.
• Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS)- A European directive adopted in 2002 banning the use of lead, mercury cadmium, hexa valent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls or polybrominated biphenyl ethers in electrical equipment from 1st July 2006. Primarily designed to reduce environmental and health impacts of disposal, this legislation will also help to reduce occupational exposure to hazardous substances in factories.
• EC Draft Directive for Energy Using Products (EUP)- This is designed to reduce the impacts on the environment associated with the production, use and disposal of energy using equipment. Products have to be evaluated against certain environmental standards prior to coming onto the EU market.
  
  http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/recycle/ecycling/index.htm