Vendors voice recycling fears

PC vendors could face higher manufacturing costs as a result of a European Commission initiative on recycling.

The American Electronics Association (AEA) and Eurobit, the European PC manufacturing lobby, voiced fears that current legislation in Germany, The Netherlands, Italy and Sweden, will lead to manufacturers taking sole responsibility for recycling end-of-life product.

The AEA said laws planned for the UK could mean manufacturers would have to dispose of product up to 40 years old.

An EC environmental representative confirmed the commission intended to make manufacturers more accountable for hardware recycling. She said a strategy would be drafted in July or August.

Draft regulations are thought to be based on similar regulations for car makers. Vendors have raised objections in the past on the grounds that PCs are harder to recycle.