Page 38 - Implementation of ITU-T international standards for sustainable management of waste electrical and electronic equipment: The path to a circular economy in Costa Rica

Implementation of ITU-T international standards for sustainable management of waste
electrical and electronic equipment: The path to a circular economy in Costa Rica

Using both methodologies, inventory, material flows and balances were obtained for the eleven
tracers detailed in section 3.2.2 EEE: definition of tracers.

An important issue for the implementation of Recommendation ITU-T L.1031 is the definition
of the scope and relevant variables related to the WEEE inventory. In this respect, WEEE
classification, EEE categories, geographical scope and timeframe were defined.

3 2 1 WEEE’s definition to develop the inventory

Recommendation ITU-T L.1031 states Figure 12 - Category of EEE according
that an appropriate classification of WEEE to EU-6 used by UNU
provides the necessary framework for
elaborating WEEE statistics, detecting waste
flows, and developing relevant national
KPIs. It is also related to the definition of
WEEE prevention strategies and WEEE
sustainable management systems.

There are international classifications
of WEEE that ensure comparability and
global compatibility of data, indicators, and
management systems.

Source: EU Directive on WEEE 2002/96/EC, 2002

UNU has developed EEE classifications known as UNU-KEYS, which relate to WEEE categories.
This classification aims to set up a framework to get WEEE statistics based on the Harmonized
System of International Trade Codes. Recommendation ITU-T L.1031 suggests the use of
the EU-6 classification, which is illustrated in Figure 12. In this Case Study, the suggestion
made in Recommendation ITU-T L.1031 has been followed. The EEE category according to
EU-6 is chosen, which allows the fulfilling the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD) requirements.

3 2 2 EEE: definition of tracers

There are several classifications used in international commerce to organize goods. The most
common classification, and the one recommended by the Swiss Federal Laboratories for
Materials Science and Technology (EMPA), is the Harmonized System (HS).

16