e-Stewards announces temporary change to standard

The Basel Action Network (BAN), Seattle, the founder of the e-Stewards Standard for Ethical and Responsible Reuse, Recycling and Disposition of Electronic Equipment and Information Technology, has decided to create a temporary four-month deviation to the standard that will allow information technology asset disposition (ITAD) service providers and recyclers to sell and ship weaker batteries into the domestic market.

The change is in response to the increase in telecommuting related to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Jim Puckett, executive director of BAN, sent an email notice March 24 alerting e-Stewards recyclers to the change. He explains: “One thing we have learned is that while equipment pick-ups are generally halted, there is at the same time a rapidly growing demand for work-at-home second-hand equipment. e-Stewards refurbishers can play a major role in filling this increasing need. In this regard, we realize that our standard's normal restraints designed to prevent the offshoring of weak batteries may be preventing progress. e-Stewards have reported that they cannot replace the equipment with new batteries fast enough to meet the surging demand.” 

The e-Stewards Standard temporarily will allow for the domestic sale of weaker batteries if the following criteria are met:

• Batteries must be visibly intact and show no outward signs of malfunction.
• These batteries can complete a circuit when deployed, allowing the device to operate under AC (grid) power.
• They are all tested as usual, and the results of those tests are plainly labeled on the equipment at sale/shipment.
• Efforts have been made to ensure that this equipment is not sold into foreign markets.
• An inserted note accompanies the device letting the customer know where to recycle the old battery upon replacement.

The deviation is posted here.  

Puckett writes, “We believe this is an important example of the kind of responsiveness needed at this time to help the community at large and the community of e-Stewards at the same time.”