Final Rule: Revisions to the Export Provisions of the Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Rule

Rule Summary:

The 2014 CRT final rule revised certain export provisions of the CRT rule published on July 28, 2006. The revisions allow the Agency to better track exports of CRTs for reuse and recycling in order to ensure safe management of these materials.

• View the 2014 final rule in the Federal Register

Rule History:

In 2011, Interagency Task Force on Electronics Stewardship issued a report titled National Strategy for Electronics Stewardship. The National Strategy provides four overarching goals, the action items under each goal, and the projects that will implement each action item. One goal of the National Strategy is to reduce harm from U.S. exports of e-waste and improve the safe handling of used electronics in developing countries. To help achieve this goal, the Task Force recommended that EPA propose regulatory changes to improve compliance with the existing regulations regarding exports of CRTs that are destined for reuse and recycling.

In 2012, EPA proposed revisions to the export provisions of the CRT exclusion in order to better track exports of CRTs and ensure safe management abroad (77 FR 15336, March 15, 2012). The CRT Export Rule was finalized in 2014.

In 2002, EPA issued proposed a conditional exclusion from the definition of solid waste for recycled CRTs and CRT glass (67 FR 40508, June 12, 2002). The purpose of these proposed simplified requirements was to encourage greater reuse, recycling, and better management of this growing wastestream, while maintaining necessary environmental protection. In 2006, EPA issued the final CRT rule.