Brazilian and International Standards Governing the Disposal of Corporate Electronic Equipment

Brazilian Standards for the Disposal of Electronic Equipment

In Brazil, the proper disposal of electronic equipment is mainly regulated by the National Solid Waste Policy (Law No. 12,305/2010), which establishes principles and guidelines for environmentally appropriate waste management, including electronic waste. Additionally, Decree No. 10,240/2020 details specific rules for the sector, imposing shared responsibility among consumers, holders, and manufacturers throughout the lifecycle of these products.

Technical standardization also relies on CONAMA Resolution No. 401/2008, which defines criteria for the disposal and management of electronic and electrical equipment waste, ensuring that procedures minimize environmental impacts and public health risks.

Applicable International Standards

On the global stage, standards such as ISO 14001, which regulates environmental management systems, and ISO/IEC 27040 focused on data security, are references for responsible disposal and secure sanitization of storage media. Strict adherence to these standards is crucial to preserving data security during deactivation and disposal of equipment.

Relevant Practices in Safe Equipment Disposal

Efficient and environmentally safe collection of electronic equipment can be facilitated through specialized services. To schedule responsible collection of electronic waste, it is recommended to use specialized platforms such as ecobraz.org – electronics collection scheduling.

When it comes to the safe disposal of hard drives and other storage devices, it is essential to apply robust sanitization processes that eliminate any possibility of recovering sensitive data. For certifiably secure procedures, scheduling can be done via ecobraz.org – HD sanitization.

Legal Obligations and Responsibility

According to article 33 of Law No. 12,305/2010, holders of electronic and electrical equipment must ensure the return of these products to the reverse logistics system, which aims at reuse, recycling, or environmentally appropriate disposal. Failure to comply with the legal provisions may result in sanctions established by Brazilian environmental legislation.

Additionally, technical standards from ANVISA and state environmental agencies, such as CETESB in São Paulo, collaborate to standardize technical procedures aimed at preventing environmental damage during the disposal and treatment of electronic waste.

Conclusion

The disposal of corporate electronic equipment in Brazil must observe a series of legal and technical standards, both national and international, ensuring environmental responsibility and information security. Aligning with these regulations strengthens sustainable practices, minimizes environmental risks, and ensures legal compliance.