TheCable

Farouk Salim, director-general of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), says electronic waste (e-waste) constitutes a threat to the environment when not properly handled.

According to a statement by Maji Aileku, SON head of media, the DG said this on Tuesday when he was visited by Aliyu Jauro, director-general of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

Aileku noted that both organisations have expressed willingness to strengthen collaboration to regulate electronic waste in the country by setting up a joint committee to work out appropriate measures and strengthen existing standards.

The policies are expected to regulate the disposal of e-waste and limit the effects on the environment.

Jauro, on his part, said the negative effect of e-waste in Nigeria is as a result of the influx of old and worn-out electronics into the country.

He said the process of recycling these e-waste materials is carried out in an unhealthy manner, adding that this has negative impact on the environment.

Seeking SON’s support to enhance effective regulation of e-waste, Jauro suggested that lists of electrical/electronic equipment certified under the mandatory conformity assessment programme, and imports under the offshore conformity assessment programmes, be made available to his agency.

“This will provide NESREA with the inventory of importers of electrical/electronic equipment. It will enable the agency follow up and ensure that the goods are appropriately recycled at the end of the life cycle and disposed of properly and in an environmentally sound manner,” he said.