FASTtalk January 2009
Organisations must ensure that they have a WEEE compliance
process for the lifecycle of their software assets.
Here, Rupinder Lakhanpal, FAST Key Account Manager,
explains how to put an effective management process in place.
There are 21 pieces of legislation that are associated with
Software Asset Management and Compliance, which we describe as
‘cradle to grave control’ and cover the complete lifecycle of
software and any asset associated with it. Today, this can mean
anything classified as an asset: PCs, laptops, faxes, printers and
a number of storage and portable devices.
The Waste Electrical and
Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive) is
intended to make us all think about the impact that the disposal of
electrical and computer equipment has on the environment. At the
same time, it also ensures that all resident information or data
loaded on the software or device relevant to all previous owners
has been removed. Those companies that have stringent policies and
procedures in place, starting from the introduction of any new
hardware to its expiration of use, end of licence or term, can
ensure the Directive is adhered to and disposal is executed
correctly.
What should be the process to manage WEEE compliance?
All software and hardware assets should be tagged and catalogued
in a licence management and inventory tool to assist in identifying
exactly where they are and when they have been disposed of.
A number of companies regularly upgrade their equipment and
simply throw away their hardware because it’s incompatible,
obsolete or old. If you have ‘cradle to grave control’ then this
will be done as part of your day-to-day ‘business as usual’
operation, culminating in one of two choices: using a disposal
company or working with a recycling company.
There are now a number of professional computer disposal
equipment companies that will offer to collect your old hardware
and ensure it is destroyed in accordance with the WEEE Directive. A
report or summary detailing what has happened to the equipment is
provided, letting you know what has been done with the hardware
while offering you peace of mind that all data has been wiped clean
from the device. It also means your due diligence has been
completed in accordance with the legislation.
Some companies work closely with a number of charities who
will refurbish and reuse their hardware. Most charities are happy
to accept old and upgraded PCs and will guarantee that once they
have finished using the equipment they will dispose of it
ethically.
In some cases the parts are fragmented and sold on. It is important to understand that most
regulatory bodies will ask to see proof of your disposal
trail and also ask you to confirm whether or not a
reputable supplier who works in accordance with the Directive was
used as part of the audit process. This is to ensure nothing has
contaminated the disposal process and that business as usual
procedures have been followed throughout the organisation. It is
also important to understand that responsibility does not
necessarily have to lie with IT; in some cases, it can be with
Quality Assurance or sourcing departments.
Remember, ‘cradle to grave control’ is an imperative if IT
equipment is to be disposed of in line with the WEEE Directive.