Cook introduces bipartisan bill to end U.S. export of e-waste

U.S. Rep. Paul Cook (R-CA) on June 27 introduced a bipartisan bill to control the export of electronic waste. 

The Secure E-waste Export and Recycling Act (SEERA), H.R. 3559, would ensure that e-waste does not become the source of counterfeit goods that could re-enter military and civilian electronics supply chains in the United States, according to the congressional record. 

“SEERA will ensure we’re not exporting electronic scrap materials that return to us as counterfeit parts and undermine the reliability of technology essential to our national security,” said Rep. Cook, who cosponsored H.R. 3559 with lead bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY). 

If enacted, H.R. 3559 would require domestic recycling of all untested, non-working electronics from the United States to keep the materials stateside and out of the hands of counterfeiters and data thieves, according to Rep. Cook’s office. 

“China regularly counterfeits electronics and puts these dangerous products, including critical military equipment, back into the market,” said the congressman. “These electronic components threaten the reliability and safety of a wide range of technologies.” 

H.R. 3559 would authorize U.S. Customs and Border Protection to inspect shipments of electronic products intended for export, stop the shipment, and hold the shipper accountable, if necessary. 

H.R. 3559 has been referred to the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee for consideration.