The government is tightening inspections, import controls and penalties in a bid to curb illegal electronic waste imports, factory violations and hazardous waste dumping, with new measures expected to go before the cabinet in December.
Lalida Persvivatana, deputy government spokeswoman, said the committee tackling electronic waste problems has approved a three-track approach to step up measures to address electronic waste and hazardous waste problems.
The first involves inspections and enforcement, with authorities intensifying factory inspections and complaint investigations, preventing illegal imports, and taking legal action against offenders.
The second focuses on controlling imports and exports to prevent electronic waste and hazardous materials from entering the country through high-risk product categories.
The third involves amending laws and penalties to close loopholes and strengthen long-term enforcement.
Ms Lalida said proposed tighter requirements for imports of scrap iron, aluminium and copper included limits on contaminants, certificates of origin, importer qualifications and joint inspections by the Customs Department, Department of Industrial Works and Pollution Control Department.
The meeting also considered banning exports of certain types of scrap metal to reserve raw materials for domestic industries. Details would need further study so the measures take account of the recycling industry’s needs.
A working group co-chaired by the directors-general of the Customs Department and the Department of Foreign Trade has been assigned to prepare the proposals, which should take into consideration authorities’ capacity to inspect shipments and the need to secure raw materials for domestic recycling businesses.
The proposals are expected to be submitted to the committee by the final week of this month and then to the National Environment Board and the cabinet for consideration by December, she said.
On suppression and enforcement, the Industry Ministry found 375 factories in violation of the Factory Act and ordered them to make improvements without suspension.
Eight factories have been told to suspend business for improvements, with one factory having its licence revoked for seriously violating an order to halt operations.
The Customs Department seized 89 containers weighing about 1,900 tonnes between Oct 1 and Nov 9 in operations to prevent illegal imports. The operations targeted false cargo declarations, electronic waste concealed among scrap metal, and changes to product classifications intended to evade inspection.