e waste an ict regulatory perspective

E-Waste: An ICT Regulatory Perspective

Presenter: Mwende Njiraini

Communications Commission of Kenya

9th June 2010

1

Content

1. Introduction

2. Kenya Regulatory Framework: E-waste Provisions

3. E-waste: International ICT Regulatory Initiatives

4. Kenya Regulatory Framework: E-waste Provisions

5. Recommendations

6. Conclusion2

Introduction

• E-waste driven by phenomenal growth in the ICT sector:– Government Policies

• Liberalization• Privatization

– Regulation• Converged Regulation • Technology neutrality • Deregulation

– Consumer demand:• Availability of diverse devices and service offerings• Reduced cost of ICT equipment (Moore’s law)

3

Introduction: ICT Sector Growth: Indication of policy, regulation and consumer demand

Subscriber Growth Q1 (09/10) Q2 (09/10)

Mobile Subscribers 17,938,706 19,364,559Number of main fixed lines 247,654 243,656Fixed wireless subscribers 367,557 429,289

4

Introduction: ICT Sector Growth: Investment Indicator

Coverage Q2 08/09(%)

Q3 08/09(%)

Q4 08/09(%)

Q1 09/10(%)

Q2 09/10(%)

Population83 83 84 84 84.5

Land 32 32 33 33 32

5

Kenya Regulatory Framework: E-waste Provisions

• ICT Policy 2006: Cognizant of the e-waste and states :

“As a prerequisite for grant or renewal of licences, applicants must demonstrate their readiness to minimize the effects of their infrastructure on the environment. This should include provision of appropriate recycling/disposal facilities for waste that may contain toxic substances.”

6

Kenya Regulatory Framework: E-waste Provisions

• Unified Licensing framework Licensing Frameworkimplemented in 2008 requires licensees to :

“ensure that the Licensed Systems do not become a health, environmental or a safety hazard…”

7

Kenya Regulatory Framework: E-waste Provisions

• Type Approval Condition for mobile handset:

“ensure that the handsets do not become a health, environmental or a safety hazard”

8

Kenya Regulatory Framework: E-waste Provisions

• Code of Practice for the Deployment of Communications

Infrastructure in Kenya:– Objective: Creation of a guidelines on the rollout of

communications network infrastructure– Provisions:

• Waste and other pollutants resulting from Operators’ activities: – Implement mitigation measures in EIA reports on obsolete electrical

and electronic equipment.– Decommissioning sites: Restoration of sites premises in consideration

of former state

• Site Sharing and Co-location– First option by Operators on the basis of a mutual agreement taking

into account environmental and health considerations

9

E-waste: International ICT Regulatory Initiatives

• ITU:– ICTs for e-Environment Guidelines for

Developing Countries, with a Focus on Climate Change

• European Union:– Directive 2002/96/EC on waste electrical and

electronic equipment– Directive 2002/95/EC on the restriction of the

use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment

10

Recommendations

• E-waste minimization and recovery strategies:– High Impact Strategies:

• Regulation and Operator Code of Practice• Recycling:

– Refurbishment– Urban mining: Extraction of precious metals from e-waste e.g. 1 tonne discarded mobile

phones yields 150g gold, 5g gold, 100kg copper and 3kg silver

– ‘Take- back’ policies• Government and Private sector Initiatives• Public awareness

– Low Impact Strategies:• Telecommunication , Postal , Broadcasting , Aviation museums:

public awareness and collection, restoration and preservation of ICT artefacts.

11

RecommendationsCommunication Museum

12

Recommendations

• Capacity building: – Public awareness of environmental issues and priorities;– Development of professionals– Integrating environmental content into formal education

• Study of trends:– E-waste management – Consumer behavior: new habits, social structures and

consumption patterns in the use of ICT products – Impacts of practices : E-business (e-Commerce and e-

Government) – Impact of technology convergence

13

Conclusion

• E-waste presents opportunities and challenges

• Multi-stakeholder collaboration is essential

14