THE government is finally beginning to inculcate an understanding of measures introduced last year for the disposal of electronic waste, saying they were intended to protect public health and the environment.

Dr Jabiri Bakari, the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) director general, made the remarks in Dar es Salaam yesterday at a consultative meeting with representatives of the Kariakoo Business Community.

Meeting with the traders was part of a stakeholder awareness campaign initiated on the safe disposal of electronic waste, including pre-inspection and collection of an advanced ecology levy.

This charge was introduced in May 2023 as among key steps in managing the disposal of used communications equipment, where the Kariakoo part of the central business district serves as the distribution hub for consumer electronic communications equipment.

He updated traders on the actions TCRA has taken to manage electronic waste since the introduction of electronic communication standards and e-waste management regulations in 2020.

The measures are designed to ensure the safe disposal of electronic waste, preventing hazardous substances in communications equipment from endangering human health and the environment, he stated.

“The eco levy is an end-of-life disposal fee that holds producers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products. All equipment entering Tanzania is inspected at its country of origin, and all communications equipment must receive type approval from TCRA,’ he said, indicating that TCRA also licenses importers and distributors of such equipment.

TCRA seeks to regulate the communications sector by actively engaging with stakeholders through interactive consultative meetings, he said, highlighting that the Environmental Management (Control and Management of Electrical and Electronic Equipment Waste) Regulations, 2021, require exporters to identify consignments and pay an advance ecology levy.

The regulations relate to the entire lifecycle of imported equipment, addressing aspects such as importation, distribution, sales, recycling and refurbishing of such equipment.

Other spheres are assembling, dismantling and disposal of electronic waste, he stated, noting that the country’s approach aligns with international best practices for managing electronic waste.

The registration and inspection of communications equipment in the country of origin complies with the Basel Convention on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their disposal, he added.