Question 82 from UPSC CSE 2021 - Current Affairs

Question

R2 Code of Practices constitutes a tool available for promoting the adoption of

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. environmentally responsible practices in the electronics recycling industry

Strategy: Identify 'R2' as the key term for electronics recycling. Eliminate options related to wetlands, agriculture, and general environmental assessments, as they are irrelevant. Select the option that directly addresses electronics recycling.

Key Info: The R2 (Responsible Recycling) Standard is an international voluntary standard for the electronics recycling sector. It certifies processors that meet best practices for environmental protection, worker health and safety, and data security.

**Key Requirements:**
*   Responsible downstream management of e-waste
*   Tracking of hazardous materials
*   Proper data destruction
*   Compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks

**Development Stakeholders:**
*   Developed by Sustainable Electronics Recycling International (SERI)
*   Created with input from the US Environmental Protection Agency, state regulators, environmental NGOs, and electronics industry representatives

R2 certification is not related to wetlands management, agricultural best practices, or generic Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) protocols.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: ecological management of 'Wetlands of International Importance' under the Ramsar Convention

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: sustainable practices in the cultivation of agricultural crops in degraded lands

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: 'Environmental Impact Assessment' in the exploitation of natural resources