Take lead by complying with EU e-waste norms, Wipro told

Bangalore, July 17 (UNI) Greenpeace, a renowned NGO fighting for environmental causes, today staged a demonstration in front of Wipro Technologies on the outskirts of the city, urging the IT major to take a lead in phasing out hazardous chemicals from its products and chalk out an effective programme on 'responsible' recycling of e-waste.

The activists, dressed in white haz-mat suits with protective masks and gloves, were holding old computer monitors with the slogan 'Clean Up Now' and shouting slogans, demanding a clear commitment from the company on drawing a roadmap for European Union directive, Restoration of Hazardous Substances (RoHS). It should implement a take back policy for their 'end of life' electronic products, they said.

''During last November, Wipro had assured Greenpeace that they would develop a roadmap for RoHS norm within six months. However, eight months later, they have proved that this is an empty promise.

It is unfortunate that the company is very evasive about phasing out hazardous chemicals from its products,'' Greenpeace India Toxics Campaigner Vinuta Gopal said.

Greenpeace had been urging the PC manufacturer to take a lead among Indian companies by announcing a phase out of products using hazardous chemicals and making its electronic products RoHS compliant by the year-end.

Ms Gopal said apart from Wipro, Greenpeace India had written to HCL, TVS Electronics, Sahara Electronics and some other companies on clean production and commitment on making electronic products environmentally safe. Unfortunately, none of them had responded.

Sustained campaigning had resulted in international market leaders like HP, Dell, LG Electronics, Samsung, Sony, Sony Ericsson and Nokia committing themselves to eliminate some of the most hazardous chemicals from their products, she noted.

The environmentalist said Wipro Vice-President (PC Division) Ashutosh Vaidya informed the agitators that it was unlikely that the company could meet the deadline of January one, 2007, for announcing a roadmap for RoHS(1) norms. However, the company would come out with a policy statement this week on both compliance of RoHS(1) and take back of old computers.

The electronic industry used a wide range of hazardous chemicals in its products and production lines. Early this month, RoHS came into force, requiring the industry to eliminate four types of heavy metals like lead, cadmium, chromium and mercury, as well as two types of Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs) by 2009. Greenpeace wanted the electronics industry to go beyond the EU directive and eliminate PVC as well from their computer hardware.

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