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SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - The Australian consumer electronics industry claims that they are ready to help in establishing a national e-waste recycling program, but that efforts are being hampered by government inaction, said industry spokespersons.

Consumer electronics supplier representative group Product Stewardship Australia (PSA), which represents approximately 70% of all consumer electronics suppliers in Australia, has reportedly said that they have had a national pickup program proposed since 2004, and have even agreed to fund much of cost of recycling e-waste, but that successive Federal governments had not acted on the offer.

Claiming that the government has been “dragging their feet.” PSA chief executive John Gertsakis said, “PSA and its members have put forward now for several years a proposed national solution. But it’s subject to government playing its role and ensuring that it underpins our scheme with safety net regulations.” said PSA chief executive, John Gertsakis.

Panasonic Australia managing director Steve Rust cited that logistics could be an issue for some retailers, and suggested a national pickup program run with local councils and garbage pickup companies as a possible solution.

“I have a more national perspective on the issue, where we’ve got around two million televisions going into landfill at the moment. On that scale, my view is that a pickup scheme from the consumer’s home is probably the way to go,” he said.

Rust said that Panasonic Australia would be willing to carry its “fair share” of the financial burden, estimated at about $15 per TV set, but only if its rivals would as well. Other retailers have stated their willingness to be part of a national e-waste program.

The Federal Environment Minister’s office has reportedly said that they and Australia's Environmental Protection and Heritage Council (EPHC) were working with industry “on a range of product stewardship options such as voluntary codes of conduct and recycling schemes.”

“While any case for regulation would need to demonstrate a clear community benefit, EPHC will continue to assist industry in this process and the Australian Government is exploring ways to assist in quantifying the value placed by the community on product stewardship,” it said.

QUEBEC, CANADA - The market research report Electronics.ca Publications has reported that electronics manufacturing in the US, Japan and Western Europe now accounts for less than 50% of global electronics output, as volume manufacturing continues to move to countries with lower-cost manufacturing.

UNITED STATES - According to industry reports, discarded electronics are the fastest growing type of waste materials in the U.S., and international concerns are growing about the environmental impact of discarding old electronics products.

FRANKFURT, GERMANY – According to the ZVEI, the worldwide PCB market grew by 8.7% in 2007 (as compared to the previous year) to $51.5 billion. The organization states that for 2008, a global growth of over 8% is predicted.

WASHINGTON DC - Stuart Eizenstat, the former U.S. Ambassador to the Europe, has reportedly warned of potential problems for U.S. and EU trade if political activists in Europe are allowed to undermine the new REACH chemical legislation.

LONDON – Exhibitors and organizers are urging support for National Electronics Week (NEW) the UK’s electronics industry exhibition, which holds its inaugural event at London’s Earls Court from June 17 to 19.

More than 300 UK-based companies and trade associations have signed up for the show, including Aeroflex, AFDEC, Agilent Technologies, BAE Systems, the Electronics Knowledge Transfer Network (E-KTN), Fuji, Intellect, the IPC, National Instruments, Pace Europe, Panasonic and Samsung. The show will also feature seminars and workshops from Advanced Rework Technology, the E-KTN, Intellect, the IPC and UKEA.

Ian Bell, marketing director at National Instruments says that the organizers have acted on feedback from the market and have put together an event which is a major networking opportunity, and a place to interact face-to-face and cross-fertilize with peers in the industry.

“The UK has a vibrant electronics industry and a worldwide reputation for designing, prototyping and producing seriously innovative electronics products,” said Bell. “It is important that UK-based companies, trade associations, government agencies and universities work together in partnership. NEW provides the forum to showcase our considerable talents and to forge such partnerships.”

Simon Payne, CEO of boundary scan test company XJTAG and sponsor of NEW said, “The UK electronics industry is the fifth largest in the world, yet we lack a single international event in the UK at which to showcase our considerable talents. That won’t happen unless the rally cry to visitors to attend this inaugural event is heard and acted upon by the electronics fraternity across the UK.”

Henry Parker of Intellect, the UK trade association for the electronics, IT and telecoms industries said, “As an industry we must work together to draw attention to the positive and growing contribution we make to the economy. We believe that National Electronics Week will help to reinforce the reality that electronics is a... successful element of the UK economy as a whole.”

Claire Jeffreys, NEW event director said: “National Electronics Week aims to bring the whole electronics industry together... drawing attention to the value of the electronics sector to the UK economy. We urge everyone to come along to the event, celebrate our world class capabilities and put the UK electronics industry back on the map!"