might be a good time to buy old test gear in Japan...

zachary vex · February 22, 2006, 04:15:20 PM

after April 1, it will be illegal to sell any electronics in Japan that's over 5 years old.

i'm not kidding.

http://www.engadget.com/2006/02/22/japan-bans-old-electronics-as-of-april-1/

phaeton · February 22, 2006, 04:19:20 PM

April Fools!?

(sorry, i had to do it)

puretube · February 22, 2006, 07:40:42 PM

OMG, the only place left to dump my old electro-waste seems to be China, Africa, or USA (except California, soon come)...

it`s about time "they" discover a new continent without regulations...

jonathan perez · February 22, 2006, 08:31:36 PM

NO TIME TO WASTE!

SUPER FAMICOMS, HERE I COME!!!!

phaeton · February 22, 2006, 09:38:16 PM

Fwiw, my gf works for the biggest electronics recycler in the Midwest, probably the whole continent. I'll have to pass this on. Maybe it's time to break into the international market

puretube · February 23, 2006, 03:19:08 AM

RoHS/WEEEoutside EU...

H.Manback · February 23, 2006, 06:54:16 AM

It's not as bad as it looks actually. The law apparently only applies to retailers, AND they can still sell the things if they get a government seal certifying that the items adhere to modern safety standards. I saw this on slashdot and my first thought was that they were going to make it illegal for everyone, not just retailers.

analogmike · February 23, 2006, 02:24:26 PM

Im Japan, nobody wants old electronics or even slightly uses electronics.

On garbage day in Tokyo, walk down any side street and you will find a LIKE NEW TV set that is much better and bigger than the one I have, left curbside for large garbage pickup. There are no used shops, tag sales, etc as they always want the latest models and definately not something someone else used.

They give away their used cars too, a lot get sent overseas where they have right hand drive.

I hear the Russian sailors are scouring the streets and they fill up their ships with like-new electronics, bikes, etc. Very clever!!

bioroids · February 23, 2006, 03:06:06 PM

Ahh to live in the 1rst world... Here (Argentina), we use stuff until it totally craps out! (and can't be somehow fixed).

Miguel

puretube · February 23, 2006, 03:13:06 PM

Quotesafety standards

= different animal...

phaeton · February 23, 2006, 03:47:05 PM

Quote from: bioroids on February 23, 2006, 03:06:06 PM
Ahh to live in the 1rst world... Here (Argentina), we use stuff until it totally craps out! (and can't be somehow fixed).

Miguel

And there is not a damn thing wrong with that, IMHO. This is probably nothing compared to what you'll find in Argentina, but my gf has a car with over 300,000 miles on it.

BDuguay · February 23, 2006, 04:14:05 PM

I remember reading someones take on when something becomes garbage. He said, 'something becomes garbage when even duct tape no longer holds it together'.
Couldn't agree more.
B.

News:

might be a good time to buy old test gear in Japan...