[Analysis of control policy for persistent toxic substances from electronic wastes in China]

The environmental pollution and risk of persistent toxic substances (PTS) have caused extensive attention nationally and internationally in recent years. Electronic waste (e-waste) is an important emission source of PTS. Based on life-cycle management, e-waste management was divided into four major areas according to emission paths of e-waste PTS, namely source reduction, process control, end-of-pipe treatment and emergency response. Related regulations and policies of China's e-waste PTS control were analyzed. An evaluation system of regulations and policies was set up, which involves management objective, regulation availability, specific provisions, regulations coordination and policy implementation. The regulations and policies of each life-cycle phase were evaluated according to expert consultancy. The regulations and policies of source reduction are more perfect for their clear management objectives and the better regulation availability, while the response is the most imperfect, for lacking of clear management objectives and detailed rules, and poor coordination and implementation of the regulation. Recommendations for regulation and policy improvement were proposed based on the assessment results.