PACE group to restart talks on battery usability requirements

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster):  The Partnership on Computing Equipment (PACE) has announced a tentative schedule to discuss the potential reusability of laptop batteries.

Under Basel Convention rules, a laptop battery is considered to be working and reusable component of a computer only if it holds at least one hour of battery life. Batteries that fail to meet the above condition are deemed non-working and are considered as unfit for reuse. According to PACE, the one-hour limit has become an impediment to reuse. Further lowering of battery life requirement is essential to improve reuse, they noted.

The working group is planning to launch a long-term discussion process to enhance reusability of laptop batteries. As the first step, PACE will compile a discussion paper and questionnaire based on current convention rules and issues surrounding battery life. Secondly, all parties to the convention will be forwarded a copy of the discussion paper and questionnaire for their responses. In the third stage, PACE will perform detailed analysis of the responses and conduct further research on the issue. As the fourth and final step, PACE will announce its recommendations. The entire process is expected to be completed in two years time.

The working group’s meeting held in 2012 had failed to reduce the minimum run-time for used batteries from one hour, despite strong push by some delegates to reduce it to 15-30 minutes. The group had failed to reach a consensus on the issue. This is the first time that PACE is conducting a review of the requirements since 2012.

The PACE, a multi-stakeholder partnership launched at the 2008 Basel Convention conference, is designed to improve the environmentally responsible management of used computers and related equipment.