45. 2025 Basel Convention Updates: Navigating E-Waste Trade in a Circular Economy

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Stephanie McLarty, Head of Sustainability at Quantum Lifecycle Partners, unpacks the critical 2025 amendments to the Basel Convention and their impact on global e-waste management. Learn how new rules governing transboundary movements of electronic waste could reshape supply chains, compliance requirements, and recycling practices—even for businesses not directly involved in international trade.

Key Takeaways:

• Basel Convention Basics: Established in 1989 to regulate hazardous waste trade, now expanded to include stricter controls on e-waste (e-Amendments).
• New Definitions: Covers whole electronics, components (e.g., circuit boards), and processed fractions (e.g., shredded materials).
• Prior Informed Consent (PIC): Exporters must obtain written approval from importing countries before shipping regulated materials.
• Country-Specific Rules: Implementation varies by nation (e.g., Canada’s exemption for OECD imports), creating compliance complexity.
• Supply Chain Ripple Effects: Indirect impacts on pricing, turnaround times, and certifications (e.g., R2V3 compliance risks).
• Action Steps: Audit supply chains, stay updated on regulatory shifts, and collaborate with certified partners like Quantum.

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Want to be a guest on The Circular Future podcast? Email Sanjay Trivedi at strivedi@quantumlifecycle.com

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