Haste Makes Waste: Five-Year Review (2005-2010) of RoHS/WEEE Regulation Implementation in China, Japan and Korea

Abstract

Have China, Japan and Korea achieved their policy goals in an effective and efficient manner by introducing its own WEEE and RoHS regulations? While the three countries enacted RoHS- and WEEE-like regulations which are comparable to the EU RoHS (2002/95/EC) and WEEE (2002/96/EC) in the middle of 2000s, it is in question whether they have implemented and enforced those regulations in an appropriate way. The paper describes the current legal framework of RoHS and WEEE regulations in China, Japan and Korea and discusses implementation and enforcement status of RoHS and WEEE Regulation in the three countries. The paper demonstrates differences, difficulties and problems of theory and practice in the implementation of RoHS and WEEE Regulation on both government and business sides and suggests more cautious preparatory studies and stakeholder involvement for better policy-making. In conclusion, the paper forecasts how the ongoing RoHS Recast proposal would impact the future direction of product-related environmental regulation in Asia.

Keywords: RoHS, WEEE, Asia, Product Stewardship, Hazardous Substance Regulation

JEL Classification: K32, K33, K23