Proper disposal of scientific devices is crucial, particularly in preventing your lab from unintentionally facing legal risks should such devices fall into the wrong hands.
Our services include decommissioning, decontamination, disposal (or recycling), and detailed documentation of recovery and movement. These services ensure compliance with the regulations below.
While compliance with legislation may have been overlooked in the past (often unintentionally), it’s wise not to tempt fate. Waste disposal companies are becoming increasingly stringent about what they collect, and serial numbers can eventually trace items back to their source. The fine for non-compliance was approximately $525,000 per offense in 2020—and it’s likely higher now.
Key Considerations:
Hazardous Waste Classification: Mass spectrometers and similar devices are classified as hazardous waste and cannot simply be discarded.
Dual-Use and Non-Proliferation Regulations: Disposal, export, and import of mass spectrometers, lasers, and similar devices are strictly regulated under Australian law. These items are classified as dual-use goods, meaning they have both civilian and potential military applications.
Australia regulates such goods through the Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL), which covers equipment and technology that could contribute to weapons of mass destruction programs. Oversight is provided by the Australian Safeguards and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO), which enforces Australia’s obligations under treaties like the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
Why It Matters:The lifecycle management of scientific devices—including their movement, use, and disposal—directly impacts compliance with these regulations. Improper handling could pose serious legal and reputational risks.
For further details, here’s a relevant article: Breach of Australian Export Control Laws.
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