Connecting the Dots on E-Waste: Navigating Evolving Policies in the EU and Asia

WHEN:  15 December 2026     I    TIME:  15:00 - 16:30 (Bangkok time)   I    Register HERE 

Background:

Electronic waste (e-waste) remains one of the fastest-growing waste streams globally. For decades, the consumption of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) has drastically outpaced safe recycling and disposal rates. In the EU quantities of EEE placed on the market have almost doubled over the past decade. In response, the European Union has steadily advanced its regulatory framework to tackle this crisis. Under the EU Circular Economy Action Plan, the EU has introduced new legislation to strengthen the ecodesign, durability, and repairability of electronic products, most notably through the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and the Right to Repair Directive. The EU is now turning its attention to the revision of the outdated Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, updating the rules governing the collection and environmentally sound treatment of e-waste to reflect technological developments and the growing need to recover critical raw materials.

At the same time, the regulatory landscape in Asia is evolving quickly. As a major global hub for electronics manufacturing, countries across Asia are increasingly developing their own domestic e-waste and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks to manage local consumption.

The intersection of these two regions creates distinct dynamics. While updated EU import requirements present compliance challenges for Asian electronics exporters, they also offer a clear blueprint for local design innovations.

Navigating this changing environment requires a deep understanding of how EU and Asian policies interact. By examining where these regulations overlap and where they differ, stakeholders can uncover new market opportunities, address supply chain hurdles, and foster cross-regional collaboration to build a truly circular electronics value chain.

Webinar Session:

The EU SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component and the European Environmental Bureau, are convening the webinar, Connecting the Dots on E-Waste: Navigating Evolving Policies in the EU and Asia to:

• Analyze Evolving E-Waste Regulations: Discuss recent updates to the EU WEEE Directive, ecodesign mandates, and how new rules are reshaping electronics manufacturing requirements globally.
• Evaluate Impacts on Asia-EU Trade: Examine the specific challenges and market access opportunities that stricter EU environmental standards bring to Asian electronics manufacturers and exporters.
• Facilitate Policy Exchange: Compare the development of e-waste policies and EPR frameworks within the EU and Asia, identifying shared best practices and alignment strategies.

Moderator:

Elodie MARIA-SUBE, Expert on EU policy development and partnership building at the SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component 

Elodie is specialized in European Affairs related to topics of circular economy, SCP, climate change and environmental management, and has extensive experience in stakeholder consultation and engagement at the EU level, as well as with high-level officials in Ministries of Environment and Finance in Asia. For over a decade, Elodie has worked in South and South-East Asia on environment and climate change. She is currently leading the SWITCH-Asia Technical Advisory project on Sustainable/ Green Public Procurement for Transformation.

Speakers:

Zinaida Fadeeva, Team Leader, SWITCH-Asia Policy Support Component

Zinaida Fadeeva is the Team Leader of the Policy Support Component of the SWITCH-Asia Programme. Zinaida has over 25 years leading international professional experience in policy for and practice of sustainable consumption and production (SCP) and Education for Sustainable Development, amongst others working with the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Studies of Sustainability (UNU-IAS). Her work has focused on diverse topics such as tourism, plastics, construction, small and medium enterprises, procurement and lifestyle. Zinaida has worked extensively with governments, private sector, international organisations and academia in East, South East, South and Central Asia.

Agenda: