A mandatory scheme therefore emerges as likely to be most effective and cost-effective, the report says.

Australian and NZ standards will be aligned as far as possible, says EECA "to reduce business compliance costs and the cost to the taxpayer of programme administration"

The report has been sent to a number of New Zealand computer distributors and local offices of multinationals like HP, as well as to organisations such as HCC Pacific, concerned with the disposal of computers. Many of these companies have been involved in discussions already, says EECA. The deadline for response is November 15.