e-Waste Classifications
Understanding how to properly classify electronic waste under the Basel Convention is critical for compliant transboundary movements. The 2025 changes eliminated common classifications and introduced new requirements that fundamentally changed e-waste trade.
What Changed January 1, 2025
Deleted Codes — No Longer Valid
- B1110: Electronic assemblies consisting of metals or alloys
- B4030: Assembled electronic equipment consisting mainly of metals
Replacement Classifications
- Y49: Non-hazardous electronic waste requiring special consideration
- A1181: Hazardous electronic waste containing dangerous components
Classification Index
Core
Y49 vs A1181 Classification Guide
The fundamental decision tree for determining whether your e-waste is hazardous (A1181) or non-hazardous but requiring special consideration (Y49). Includes component thresholds and concentration limits.
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Assessment
Hazardous Characteristics Assessment
How to identify and document H-codes (H1–H13) present in electronic waste. Covers testing requirements, presumptive classifications, and competent authority expectations.
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2025 Update
2025 Basel E-Waste Changes
Detailed explanation of what changed on January 1, 2025, transition guidance for existing notifications, and how to handle shipments approved under old codes.
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Components
Component-Level Classification
Breaking down e-waste by component type: circuit boards, plastics, metals, cables. When components can be classified separately vs when the entire assembly determines classification.
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Displays
CRT and Display Panel Guidelines
Special classification rules for cathode ray tubes, LCD panels, LED displays, and plasma screens. Lead glass content, mercury backlights, and panel-specific thresholds.
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Batteries
Battery and Power Component Rules
When batteries must be removed before export, how battery content affects classification, and special rules for lithium-ion, lead-acid, and NiCad batteries in equipment.
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PCBs
Circuit Board Classification
Motherboards, power supply boards, I/O boards, and other PCB types. Precious metal content, solder composition, and component density considerations.
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Mixed Lots
Mixed E-Waste Lot Guidance
How to classify shipments containing multiple equipment types. Sampling protocols, worst-case classification approaches, and segregation requirements.
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Critical Classification Principles
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Precautionary Approach
When in doubt about hazardous component presence, classify as A1181 rather than Y49. Most competent authorities reject notifications that underestimate hazard levels — it is always safer to over-declare than under-declare.
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Component Testing Required
Generic e-waste descriptions are no longer acceptable. You must identify specific hazardous components and document their concentrations. Third-party laboratory analysis is strongly recommended for all mixed loads.
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No More "Electronic Scrap"
Vague classifications will be rejected outright. Specify equipment types, component composition, and hazardous characteristics. Authorities now expect granular detail — not category descriptions.
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2025 Code Change — Act Now:Using deleted codes B1110 or B4030 in any 2025 notification will result in immediate rejection. These codes were removed January 1, 2025. All active notifications approved under these codes must be reviewed and resubmitted under Y49 or A1181 before the next shipment.
Common Classification Errors — Correct Approach
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DexMetal Expert Tip:Start with the Y49 vs A1181 Classification Guide to build your decision framework. Then use the component-specific pages for each equipment type in your shipment. Each page includes concentration thresholds, testing protocols, and real-world examples from e-waste export operations. When assembling your dossier, cross-reference your classification against Block 14 of the Notification Document — inconsistencies between the two are a leading cause of formal information requests from importing country competent authorities.
References
Basel Technical Guidelines on Transboundary Movements of E-Waste (2024 Update)
Basel Annexes I, II, III, VIII, IX
COP-17 update: Annex IV and e-waste guidelines
COP-17 was held from 28 April to 9 May 2025 and adopted 28 Basel Convention decisions. Operators should treat those decisions as the current reference point when preparing Basel Convention files for transboundary movements.
BC-17/15 adopted a replacement Annex IV. The update is scheduled to become effective on 1 January 2030, following depositary communication on 1 July 2029. Until national implementation is confirmed, use current domestic rules but plan workflows, contracts, and recovery/disposal references for the 2030 Annex IV replacement.
BC-17/4 adopted new technical guidelines on transboundary movements of e-waste and used electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). For e-waste and used EEE movements, reference these COP-17 guidelines when preparing classification, PIC, ESM, and supporting documentation.
Practical operator note: for 2025–2029 files, record which Basel decision basis is being used, confirm competent-authority expectations, and revisit Annex IV and e-waste assumptions before shipment approval or renewal.
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