By Kelly Scanlon, Lead Sustainability Strategist, Global Electronics Association

Last week, I had the privilege of representing the Global Electronics Association’s Evolve program at SERI’s e-Summit, a dynamic gathering of companies, regulators, designers, manufacturers, recyclers, and other stakeholders across the electronics lifecycle. 

Our purpose was clear and fulfilled: Introduce Evolve, our sustainability program, and connect with peers across the supply chain – especially those focused on electronics recycling, refurbishment, and reuse. The conversations we had reinforced that there is a real and pressing need to connect industry with industry to “close the loop.” Sustainability is more than an initiative; it is the shared vehicle that can unite us in a common cause.

Generating Ideas Together

The summit sparked ideas we’ll be exploring further: carving out dedicated spaces at APEX EXPO 2026 for circularity conversations, workshops that bring policy and technology leaders together, facility tours, and advocacy opportunities. Most importantly, recyclers made it clear that they want direct engagement with designers and manufacturers – the beginning of stronger customer-supplier relationships that help keep valuable materials in play.

Building New Bridges

We made valuable connections with CEOs and leaders at Panasonic, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the ReMade Institute, ReMA, and others. Just as important, we had meaningful conversations with partner associations like Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), Information Technology Industry Council (ITI), Consumer Technology Association (CTA), and SERI about ways to collaborate in helping our industry achieve circularity.

Yet, there is still a demand for more connections. Many participants expressed interest in attending future Association events, learning alongside different parts of the ecosystem, and ensuring their portion of the lifecycle is represented in these conversations.

What We Learned

Several themes emerged at e-Summit that should shape our work ahead:

• Membership matters. People want to join the Global Electronics Association because we represent every segment of the electronics ecosystem – companies producing materials, printed circuit boards, wire and cable, components, and the assemblers, suppliers, and manufacturers of final products.
• Conversations are critical. Whether at our own flagship tradeshow and conference APEX EXPO, Climate Week NYC, or Pan-European Electronics Design Conference (PEDC), people want spaces to talk, share, and learn from each other.
• Challenges remain. Data gaps and limited connections between recyclers and electronics designers/manufacturers are major barriers to achieving circularity.

Closing the Loop

The Evolve program exhibited in the expo hall at eSummit; one of the most popular features was our Closing the Loop map. Using a simple bulletin board and push pins, attendees indicated the stages of the electronics life cycle their companies represent. Many had multiple pins, reflecting participation in more than one stage. This exercise not only showed who was at eSummit, but also highlighted who wasn’t -- and underscored the importance of having all life cycle stages represented.

We emphasized the many opportunities to “re” -- repair, remanufacture, recycle, reprocess – at every stage of electronics’ journey. The goal is simple but ambitious: thwart e-waste by ensuring that products, components, and materials are used as long as possible and then regenerated as secondary materials ready for renewed use.

Looking Ahead

The conversations we began at e-Summit must continue. 

We see enormous potential at APEX EXPO 2026 to replicate and expand on the Closing the Loop concept, bringing all parts of the electronics life cycle together in one place. By creating space for conversation, collaboration, and partnership, we can accelerate circularity and reduce e-waste—together.

At e-Summit, I witnessed firsthand the industry’s appetite for connection and commitment to sustainability. Now, it’s on us to build on that momentum and continue closing the loop.

by Diana Radovan, Director, Sustainability Policy

The Global Electronics Association has joined more than 100 industry associations in urging Congress to adopt pragmatic updates to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). In a joint letter, the coalition called for a regulatory framework that safeguards human health and the environment while supporting supply chain stability and innovation in U.S. electronics manufacturing.

The coalition recommends several actions to strengthen TSCA, including:

• Establishing timely and predictable reviews of new chemicals

• Preventing unnecessary regulatory hurdles, such as the excessive use of Consent Orders and Significant New Use Rules which can discourage adoption of innovative, sustainable chemistries

• Applying a risk-based approach to regulation that reflects real-world uses and intended applications

• Clarifying and reinforcing scientific standards for determining “the weight of the scientific evidence”

• Enhancing transparency across TSCA sections related to testing, petitions, and data sharing

For more information, please contact me at DianaRadovan@electronics.org.

by Diana Radovan, Director, Sustainability Policy

The EU recently embedded circular economy principles into law. These new rules require industry to integrate reuse, recycling, and resource efficiency directly into design and end-of-life management for the first time. 

Key highlights are:
Circular by design: 
New vehicles must allow easy removal of parts and components for reuse, recycling, remanufacturing, or refurbishing.

Mandatory recycled content: 
Within six years, 20% of plastics in vehicles must be recycled material, rising to 25% within 10 years (with future targets for steel and aluminum).

Extended producer responsibility: 
Manufacturers will cover the costs of collecting and treating end-of-life vehicles.

Export restrictions: 
Clearer rules on distinguishing between used and end-of-life vehicles, with bans on exporting the latter outside of the EU.

The new rules will fundamentally reshape the lifecycle of cars in Europe. There are 285.6 million vehicles on EU roads, of which 6.5 million will reach their end-of-life this year. 

Through this measure, circularity is no longer a voluntary sustainability goal, but a legal obligation. This shift aims to strengthen Europe’s resource security, reduce environmental impacts, and create a more sustainable automotive industry.

Contact me at DianaRadovan@electronics.org for more information.

by Diana Radovan, Director, Sustainability Policy

On 25 August, Brazil approved the final technical handbooks for its Sustainable Taxonomy (Portuguese acronym “TSB”). This framework defines the parameters for determining which activities are considered “sustainable” from a legal perspective.  

The first edition covers eight sectors, aligned with Brazil’s CNAE (Clasificación Nacional de Actividades Económicas):

• Agriculture, livestock, forestry protection, fishing, aquaculture
• Extractive industry
• Manufacturing industry
• Electricity and gas
• Water, sewage, waste, and decontamination
• Construction
• Transport, storage, and postal services
• Social services (tourism, urban planning, IT, telecommunications)

The official publication of the approved TSB and handbooks is expected in September 2025, with phased implementation beginning with large firms and financial institutions. Future updates will include critical minerals, vehicles, bioeconomy, circular economy, biodiversity, and sustainable land use, as well as guidelines tailored for medium and small enterprises. 

What makes Brazil’s approach unique? 

• Climate focus: It prioritizes both climate change mitigation and adaptation
• Social inclusion: It’s the first in the world to include gender and race among the inequalities it seeks to address
• Industry scope: First taxonomy globally to cover the mining and the extractives industries – even ahead of the EU

Why it matters for electronics

Companies operating in Brazil need to understand the taxonomy’s requirements as access to financing and other business decisions may increasingly depend on how activities align with TSB parameters. This includes future applicability to the electronics sector. 

For more information, contact me at DianaRadovan@electronics.org.