China has drafted new guidelines designed to control the spread of electronic wastes in a move consistent with practices in many developed countries.

The guidelines are expected to go into effect on March 1 next year, the Ministry of Information Industry said on its Website yesterday.

Mobile phones, computers and other electronic products that contain dangerous materials will have to carry a disposal warning tag under the regulations.

The targeted substances include lead, cadmium and mercury, and the ministry's hope is that consumers will heed the warnings and dispose of these products properly.

In an ensuing step, the government will draft a detailed product catalog to force manufacturers to use more benign materials that minimize environmental problems, the ministry's Website said.

"The guideline will help us protect the environment and boost the e-waste recycling industry in China," the ministry said.

Every year, China throws away at least 5 million television sets, 4 million refrigerators, 5 million washing machines, 5 million computers and millions of cell phones, according to government figures.

Nokia, Motorola and China Mobile have already taken steps to recycle their used phones nationwide by collecting them at their outlets.

Foreign firms such as Finland-based Samill Recycling and Singapore-listed Citiraya are building e-waste recycling plants in China.

The European Union earlier implemented regulations to control e-wastes, and it plans to ban imports of products that create environmental harm.

"We will conform to international standards step by step," the Ministry of Information Industry said.

(Shanghai Daily March 4, 2006)