CONASQ Endorses Proposal to Limit Hazardous Substances in Electronics

The National Commission on Chemical Safety (CONASQ) has approved a proposal to restrict the use of hazardous substances in electronic and electrical products. This decision was reached during a meeting, held on February 25 at the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MMA) headquarters in Brasília.

Drafted by the Temporary Working Group on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (GTT-RoHS), the proposed resolution will now be reviewed by the National Environmental Council (Conama).The targeted hazardous substances, including heavy metals, flame retardants, and plasticizers, are commonly found in electronic waste such as mobile phones, computers, and kitchen appliances. Due to their risks to human health and the environment, they are to be replaced with safer alternatives.

Additional Measures

The meeting of CONASQ brought together representatives from the federal government, civil society, and industry. The commission also voted to extend the mandate of the Working Group on Chemicals in Plastics, which contributes to discussions on the development of an international treaty to combat plastic pollution—a matter still under negotiation among nations.

Other topics addressed during the meeting included the National Program for the Reduction of Pesticides (Pronara) and an updated National Diagnosis for the National Plan for Prevention, Preparedness, and Rapid Response to Environmental Emergencies Involving Hazardous Chemical Products (P2R2). Additionally, a permanent working group was established to oversee this initiative. The next CONASQ plenary meeting is scheduled for June.