“The parties should seek a balanced approach that recognizes the economic and environmental benefits arising from legitimate reuse and repair operations.  New barriers to these exports would likely cause equipment holders to prematurely divert valuable equipment to waste recycling channels, thereby expanding the volume of e-waste generated. This approach would also reduce the availability of refurbished products that are critical to many communities in the developing world.”

From p. 2 of response by Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) to Basel Secretariat. 2012. ‘Draft Technical Guidelines on Transboundary Movement of E-Waste, in Particular Regarding the Distinction between Waste and Non-Waste (Version 8 May 2012)’. http://www.basel.int/Implementation/Ewaste/TechnicalGuidelines/DevelopmentofTGs/tabid/2377/Default.aspx.