>> >>>> <snip>
> I know european manufacturers that buy CE stickers in bulk and just
> slap them on everything. The "to the best of our knowlege..."
> certification letters are cheap too.
Slapping a CE sticker on a product is just an assertion that it does conform to the relevant legislation. If it doesn't, it's fraud, and you can be prosecuted for that
One outfit told me that CE means Can't Enforce.
There are always cowboys around.
And, could be stopped/blocked at port of entry. So, exporter AND importer are unhappy!
But are similar measures put in place to deal with the packaged *items* as they reach EoL?
The amount of "stuff" that I see "discarded" is... distressing. Often, items with useful life remaining but the previous owner has tired of "last year's model".
[Understandably, medical devices -- in the US -- are troublesome to move on to new owners (liability issues). Doubly annoying as it could otherwise lower the costs of doing business for those recipients. Second/third -world countries seem to magically make them work!]
There seems to be a move towards a sort of molded cardboard "cradle" to hold devices in place in their outer boxes. The material almost looks like it is formed from a slurry as it doesn't have the smooth surface of traditional cardboard.
There also seems to be a move towards lighter *grade* materials -- not quite as (unnecessarily?) rugged as in years past.
And, resellers seem to rely on "air bags" to keep items secured in a shipping box. This rarely works unless all of the items are lightweight. Don't buy 100oz cans of foodstuffs and expect them to have been THOUGHTFULLY packed with more delicate items!
Yes, that's the material they used. And it is heavy.
The cost of many things we buy include the cost of recycling at EOL.
Here (US), that's an externality and not directly factored into the sell price or cost. Most products do not have *mandated* recycling. Often, those that *do* tack on a separate fee (which is usually made obvious to the buyer).
E.g., buy a new (starting) battery for your vehicle and you will incur a "core charge" as an enticement to return the OLD battery so its lead plates can be reclaimed. The vendor who sold you the battery recycles your "return".
OTOH, buy a new SLA for your UPS, and there will be no similar charge. But, there are places that will accept such batteries and pay "the going rate" (usually about 20c per pound).
I suspect there are laws/regulations in place that govern many of these practices without exposing the consumer to their presence. E.g., I think you can return used motor oil at most "oil change shops" -- but, I am not sure they will pay you for that *or* are legally obligated to accept it.
Imagine what a 20 ft rolloff full of 40+ inch LCD TVs looks like and what *net* "value" lies therein.
And adds delays.
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