Export Requirements for Cathode Ray Tubes

A cathode ray tube (CRT) is the glass video display component of an electronic device (usually a television or computer monitor). In 2006, EPA finalized a rule streamlining the management requirements for the recycling of used CRTs and glass removed from CRTs under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (71 FR 42928, July 28, 2006). In 2014, EPA finalized revisions to the export provisions of the CRT final rule (79 FR 36220, June 26, 2014).

Note: The 2014 CRT export rule becomes effective December 26, 2014. The e-CFR links below will not reflect the new requirements until after this effective date.

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions on CRT Rule
Fact Sheet for Exporters (PDF) (1 pg, 96 Kb, about PDFs )
Template for Notification of Intent to Export CRTs for Reuse (PDF) (2 pp, 17 Kb, about PDFs )
Template for Annual Report for a Person Exporting CRTs for Recycling (PDF) (1 pg, 14 Kb, about PDFs )
Companies exporting used intact CRTs for reuse
Companies approved to export CRTs for recycling

Definition of CRT Exporter

CRT exporter is defined in 40 CFR 260.10 and means any person in the United States who initiates a transaction to send used CRTs outside the United States or its territories for recycling or reuse, or any intermediary in the United States arranging for such export.

Used, Intact CRTs Exported for Reuse

Used, intact CRTs as defined in 40 CFR 260.10 must not be speculatively accumulated as defined in 40 CFR 261.1(c)(8).
Used CRTs exported for reuse must comply with requirements that are specified at 40 CFR 261.41. These requirements include:

Notify EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) of export activities. Notification may cover exports extending over a 12-month or lesser period. Notification must include contact information about the exporter and ultimate destination facility or facilities where the used, intact CRTs will be reused, refurbished, distributed, or sold for reuse, as well as the name of any alternate destination facility or facilities. It must also include a description of the manner in which the CRTs will be reused, frequency and rate of export, means of transport, total quantity of CRTs, and information about transit countries. EPA's Template for Notification of Intent to Export CRTs for Reuse.
Keep copies of normal business records, such as contracts, demonstrating that each shipment of exported used, intact CRTs will be reused. This documentation must be retained for a period of at least three years from the date the CRTs were exported. If the documents are written in a language other than English, CRT exporters of used, intact CRTs sent for reuse must provide both the original, non-English version of the normal business records as well as a third-party translation of the normal business records into English within 30 days upon request by EPA.
Companies exporting used intact CRTs for reuse

Used CRTs (Broken or Intact) Exported for Recycling

Used, broken CRTs as defined in 40 CFR 260.10 must be managed according to the requirements at 40 CFR 261.39. This includes:

Storage in a building with a roof, floor, and walls or placed in a container (i.e., a package or vehicle) that is constructed, filled, and closed to minimize releases to the environment of CRT glass (including fine solid materials).
Each container must be labeled with one of the following phrases: “Used cathode ray tube(s)-contains leaded glass” or “Leaded glass from televisions or computers.” It must also be labeled “Do not mix with other glass materials.”
The used, broken CRTs must be transported in a container that meets (1) and (2) above.
Used, broken CRTs cannot be speculatively accumulated as defined in 40 CFR 261.1(c)(8).

Used CRTs exported for recycling must comply with requirements that are specified in detail in 40 CFR 261.39(a)(5). These requirements include:

Notify EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) of an intended shipment 60 days before the shipment. Notification may cover exports extending over a 12-month or lesser period. Notification must include contact information about the exporter and recycler(s), and any alternate recyclers. It must also include a description of the recycling, frequency and rate of export, means of transport, total quantity of CRTs, and information about transit countries.
OECA will notify the receiving country and transit countries. When the receiving country consents in writing to the receipt of the CRTs, OECA will forward the consent to the exporter. The exporter may not ship the CRTs until consent is received.
If the receiving country does not consent or withdraws a prior consent, EPA will notify the exporter in writing. Exporters must keep copies of notifications and consents for three years following receipt of the consent.
Consent is not required from transit countries, but EPA will notify the exporter of any responses from these countries.
CRT exporters must file with EPA no later than March 1 of each year, an annual report summarizing the quantities (in kilograms), frequency of shipment, and ultimate destination(s) (i.e., the facility or facilities where the recycling occurs) of all used CRTs exported during the previous calendar year. Annual reports must be submitted to OECA. Exporters must keep copies of each annual report for a period of at least three years from the due date of the report. Template for Annual Report for a Person Exporting CRTs for Recycling

Companies approved to export CRTs for recycling

CRT Glass Exported for Recycling

“CRT Processing” as defined in 40 CFR 260.10 must be performed within a building with a roof, floor, and walls.
No activities may be performed that use temperature high enough to volatilize lead from CRTs.
Processed CRT glass must not be speculatively accumulated as defined in 40 CFR 261.1(c)(8).
Processed glass (i.e., CRT glass that has been sorted) managed under the CRT rule is not subject to export requirements. Unsorted glass would be considered a “broken CRT” and would be subject to export requirements.

Unused, Intact CRTs Exported for Reuse or Recycling

No regulatory requirements - these are considered commercial products or commercial chemical products being reclaimed.

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