Bill > S2090

This bill, titled the Responsible Electronics Recycling Act, aims to prohibit the export of certain electronic waste from the United States to countries not part of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development or the European Union, with a few exceptions. "Restricted electronic waste" is defined as used electronic equipment, or parts thereof, that contain hazardous materials like mercury, lead, cadmium, or hexavalent chromium, or specific components like cathode ray tubes. The bill outlines exceptions for items that meet "de minimis" levels of hazardous materials, functional equipment intended for reuse that is properly tested and packaged, furnace-ready cathode ray tube glass, and certain customer returns or recalls under specific conditions, all of which may require licensing and notification to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator. The bill also mandates the EPA Administrator to develop procedures for identifying additional covered electronic equipment and restricted toxic materials, and to establish "de minimis" levels for hazardous components. Furthermore, it includes provisions for research grants to develop better methods for recycling critical minerals and rare earth elements from electronic devices, and establishes criminal penalties for violations of the export restrictions.