“Repair, refurbishment and root cause analysis (RRR) of medical devices bring important benefits to patients, to the environment and to the realization of a full circular economy model.
For patients: RRR of medical devices contributes strongly to
increased access to healthcare:
20%-30% reduction in cost for healthcare providers while ensuring safety and high clinical performance.
Increased quality of healthcare and safety for patients due to the availability of lower cost, high quality equipment.
Assuring equipment is maintained and functional.
For the environment: RRR of medical devices saves energy and CO2, prevents premature obsolescence, and saves resources and raw materials.
For the economy: The market for refurbished medical equipment is important. It accounts for 480 million € per year, with 74% of the market in Europe and North America.”
From p. 1 (emphasis in the original) of response by Global Diagnostic Imaging, Healthcare IT & Radiation Therapy Trade Association (DITTA) to Basel Secretariat. 2015. ‘Decision BC-12/5 | Technical Guidelines on Transboundary Movements of Electrical and Electronic Waste and Used Electrical and Electronic Equipment, in Particular Regarding the Distinction between Waste and Non-Waste under the Basel Convention’. http://www.basel.int/TheConvention/ConferenceoftheParties/Meetings/COP12/tabid/4248/mctl/ViewDetails/EventModID/8051/EventID/542/xmid/13027/Default.aspx.
“NZ has supported this exemption in the past. The issue is that some medical equipment often has a longer life than much e-waste and it is often refurbished and repaired. The equipment is relatively expensive and the repair refurbishment is done by specialists. Enabling longer use of older items significantly reduces the volume of hazardous wastes and can reduce the costs of providing health care.
The suggested text beyond ‘environmentally sound management’ should be deleted. Annex VII countries are not the only countries that can carry out ESM management of wastes. In addition some of the equipment may well have been designed and manufactured in non-Annex VII countries (see 7 below for comment on these restrictions). ESM is a requirement for any transboundary movement of hazardous wastes, and this applies to material going to both Annex VII and non-Annex VII countries”
From p. 3 of response by New Zealand to Basel Secretariat. 2015. ‘Decision BC-12/5 | Technical Guidelines on Transboundary Movements of Electrical and Electronic Waste and Used Electrical and Electronic Equipment, in Particular Regarding the Distinction between Waste and Non-Waste under the Basel Convention’. http://www.basel.int/TheConvention/ConferenceoftheParties/Meetings/COP12/tabid/4248/mctl/ViewDetails/EventModID/8051/EventID/542/xmid/13027/Default.aspx.
"We support the exemption of medical devices."
From p. 2 of response by Norway to Basel Secretariat. 2015. ‘Decision BC-12/5 | Technical Guidelines on Transboundary Movements of Electrical and Electronic Waste and Used Electrical and Electronic Equipment, in Particular Regarding the Distinction between Waste and Non-Waste under the Basel Convention’. http://www.basel.int/TheConvention/ConferenceoftheParties/Meetings/COP12/tabid/4248/mctl/ViewDetails/EventModID/8051/EventID/542/xmid/13027/Default.aspx.